Time lock and time delay systems combined with highly visible warning signs are considered to be the most effective way to deter armed robbery, reducing the likelihood of an armed raid by as much as 80%. Most armed raids are over in under 1 minute, the assailants relying on the numbing speed and suddenness of their attack. A time delay lock forces them to wait whilst a predetermined delay expires, invariably causing the attack to abort. Guardian anti hold-up safes and coffers are secured by a digital electronic time delay lock with the count-down time clearly displayed. In addition, they incorporate a time lock, audit trail and multiple user codes.