Reasons to Get Your Locks Changed
Lock Snapping
Lock Snapping is a method used by burglars that involves snapping a particular kind of cylinder lock, enabling the intruder to easily gain access to the home. If the right level of force is applied to the cylinder, it can snap and give easy access to the locking mechanism.
Lock Snapping has become more prevalent over the last few years as it requires no special equipment or expert knowledge, only the power of a hammer, mole grips or anything else that can physically grab and take hold of a lock cylinder is sufficient to gain entry. Numerous readily available online videos demonstrate the shocking force, speed and simplicity of the technique that thieves are utilising to get into houses all across the country, with West Lothian no exception to this disturbing criminal trend. One video clip which we've viewed reveals how criminals can get access to a cylinder even if it is not sticking out from the handle. In cases like this the handle is shown literally being ripped off of the door, the lock cylinder revealed and the locking mechanism compromised making use of household tools like a hammer and screwdriver.
Alternative home security measures which might be installed on your door like shoot-bolts, dead-bolts, roller keeps and anti lift bars are made useless because as soon as the lock cylinder is snapped and extracted from your door the intruder can access the locking mechanism via a screwdriver or comparable tools. As soon as the locking mechanism is bypassed your door will be unlocked and provide quick access, intruders have even been known to gain entry to properties with alarms fitted employing this method because of the speed of entry. Most lock repairs can be completed by your West Lothian locksmith within the hour (depending on the level of damage to the door. Locks and doors with excessive damage may take a bit longer to repair).
A recent TV documentary revealed how a former burglar, with no prior experience of snapping locks, could utilize this method to gain admittance to a house within 40 seconds, even he admitted how astonished he was at the simplicity and rate of gaining entry, he said an expert lock snapper would possibly gain entry in as little as fifteen seconds. Another former burglar admitted that even if he had the greatest lock picks in the country, he would prefer to snap the cylinder simply because "it's quicker and much less difficult".
Police said it is believed around 22 million doors all over the country might be at risk from lock snapping where the lock cylinder can be snapped in seconds. Your LockRite locksmith West Lothian is a specialist in fitting anti snap locks.
Which Locks Are At Risk
Locks which are at risk of lock snapping are those of Euro Cylinder profiles, and any locks that extend beyond 3mm of the handle. The further the lock cylinder sticks out from the door the more likely to tampering it becomes as it is much easier to clasp and take hold of, but even if a lock cylinder doesn't protrude from the handle it still isn't immune to tampering, something which our West Lothian locksmith understands only too well.
Euro Cylinders are usually installed in uPVC doors. Different types of Euro Cylinder include: The Single Cylinder, which provides key entry from one side only, The Double Cylinder that provides key entry from the front and back of the door and The Double Cylinder with Thumbturn which offers key access from one side and employs a thumbturn on the opposite side of the door. The lock cylinders are available with different types of locking mechanisms, such as disc tumbler, pin tumbler, and wafer tumbler locks. Cylinder Locks can come in a variety of sizes and profiles to accommodate specific door sizes, but the profile susceptible to lock snapping by criminals is known as the Euro Profile.
Anti-Snap Locks
Cylinders that are of a TS007 3 Star standard (also referred to as 'anti-snap' cylinders) are cylinders which fulfill the specifications to hold up against lock snapping attacks.
Anti-Snap locks possess an integrated 'shear-off' section that will come away if an intruder was to try to snap the lock, which makes cylinder shorter, thus making it much harder to clasp. With the help of built in grip defenders it can make getting hold of the lock cylinder even more challenging. In addition anti-snap locks contain a toughened bar which will not break, it will only bend making snapping virtually impossible.
Make sure that your current locks do not over extend. If they appear susceptible you might want to consider having them replaced by your LockRite West Lothian locksmith.
We can easily fit anti-snap locks to your doors to safeguard you from this kind of attack. Call us on 01501 640099 for a free, no obligation quote.
Lock Changes by LockRite Locksmiths West Lothian
We can repair damage to your doors and frames and fix or change any locks that have been damaged during the course of a burglary.
Just bought a new property? Do you know how many other people possess keys to your house? Usually, home-owners will accidentally keep door keys or forget that they have an extra set after they re-locate and purchase somewhere new. Not just that but copies of the keys may have been made for relatives or friends to gain access while the homeowners were on holiday. For your safety and peace of mind your locksmith West Lothian can exchange the locks in your property and guarantee that you're the only person who possesses the new keys.
