Learn how anti-bandit glass works, how laminated security glazing resists attack, and why it is used to protect people and property.
Anti-bandit glass works by combining multiple layers of glass with specialist interlayers to create a strong laminated security glazing system.
Instead of shattering and falling away when struck, the glass is designed to remain in place, resisting repeated impacts and delaying forced entry.
This type of glazing is commonly used in environments where protection against manual attack is essential.
It is engineered to act as a physical barrier for as long as possible, making it much more difficult for an intruder to create an opening through the glass.
As experienced security glass manufacturers in the UK, Tecdur designs and manufactures Tecdur Secure Glass —
a high-performance laminated glass range engineered to withstand severe levels of manual attack while maintaining clarity and architectural integration.
The Laminated Construction Behind Anti-Bandit Glass
The core principle behind anti-bandit glass is laminated construction.
Multiple sheets of glass are bonded together with tough interlayers that absorb impact energy and hold broken fragments together when the glass is attacked.
When the outer surface is struck, the glass may crack, but the interlayer prevents the panel from collapsing into an open gap.
This allows the glazing to continue acting as a barrier even after visible damage has occurred.
The more advanced the build-up, the greater the resistance to sustained attack. This is why anti-bandit glass is specified according to recognised security classifications rather than appearance alone.
How Anti-Bandit Glass Resists Forced Entry
Anti-bandit glass does not work by being impossible to damage. Instead, it works by delaying penetration.
The laminated make-up spreads impact energy across the panel and forces the attacker to keep striking the same area repeatedly to create an opening.
This delay is critical in security design. It can deter opportunistic intruders, buy valuable time for a response, and reduce the likelihood of rapid access to a protected space.
How Is Anti-Bandit Glass Tested?
Anti-bandit glass is commonly associated with the EN 356 standard, which measures resistance to manual attack.
This standard classifies glass according to how well it withstands impact from heavy objects and tools.
- P1A to P5A – tested using repeated steel ball drops
- P6B to P8B – tested using repeated axe strikes
Lower classifications are often used where protection against vandalism and opportunistic attack is required, while higher classifications are used for environments facing a greater risk of sustained manual attack.
Where Is Anti-Bandit Glass Typically Used?
Anti-bandit glass is used in a wide range of environments where security glazing forms part of the first line of defence.
Typical applications include:
- High value retail storefronts
- Commercial entrances and reception areas
- VIP protection environments
- Prisons and police custody suites
- Mental health establishments
- High security facilities
- Security doors and specialist glazed screens
Can Anti-Bandit Glass Be Enhanced?
Yes. Tecdur Secure Glass can also be enhanced to deliver additional performance benefits depending on the application, including:
- Ballistic resistance (EN 1063)
- Blast resistance
- Fire resistance (Exova, CertiFire)
- Acoustic insulation
- Switchable privacy glass technology
As with any high-performance glazing system, the frame and installation method must also be appropriate for the chosen specification to ensure the full system performs as intended.
Secure Glass can be:
Enhance Security
Impact Resistant
Bullet Resistant
Blast Resistant
Fire Resistant
Acoustic
Why Choose Tecdur?
With over 15 years of industry experience and extensive in-house manufacturing capability, Tecdur provides certified,
high-performance security glazing designed to protect people and property. Our technical team works closely with architects, contractors and specifiers to ensure the correct anti-bandit glass specification is selected for each project.
Whether you need anti-bandit glass for a retail shopfront, commercial entrance or secure institutional environment,
Tecdur can help specify the right tested solution for your application.