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As said, locking handles are a combination of security and safety. Most insurance companies will require locking handles on the ground (readily accessible) floor windows. Depending on the arrangement of the locks, you can often lock the window in a partly open /vent position, which makes it harder for an opportunist to fully open it.
You can get non locking handles for top or side hung windows. Intended for fire escape routes, they have a green push button.
Window handles that use a key to lock rather than just a thumb switch, what's the point? Stop kids opening them?