When we think of someone breaking into our home, we often assume they use elaborate methods of entry. However, for many UK homeowners, the easiest way to enter their homes is also the quickest: lock snapping. This is a method of entry that takes seconds to carry out and needs precious little skill.
Sadly, lock snapping is a problem that remains a blight for many homeowners. Thanks to the rise of high-security locks, which are British Standards approved, lock snapping is less common today. If your locks are even slightly out of date, though, they could still be at risk of being snapped and thus gifting entry into your home or business. How can you make sure you avoid your locks being snapped?
We reached out to a local locksmith in Leeds for professional insight into how to best avoid such a scenario from unfolding. If you want to make sure lock snapping is a problem of the past, keep reading!
Lock Snapping: At A Glance
While lock snapping is a dying method due to modern locks having anti-snap protections included, not every lock is snap-protected. If your locks are not British Standards 3621 approved, then they are likely still to have vulnerability to methods such as lock snapping. That should concern you!
Most lock snapping is carried out on UPVC doors, as these are doors which are most likely to have a Euro cylinder lock. Euro cylinders are the target for lock snappers. A local locksmith can thankfully help you to find a suitable replacement lock which is impervious to techniques such as lock snapping.
How does someone snap your locks, exactly? They literally snap the lock in half using a simple method of entry. The criminal will apply force to the exterior of your cylinder lock. When they do this, it can remove the outer protection on the lock, giving them access to the mechanisms inside. From there, it is a simple case of picking the exposed lock using a basic set of tools.
Is Lock Snapping Easy To Do?
Extremely, unfortunately. Even a semi-skilled burglar can snap a lock in seconds, and it makes precious little noise. Since the turn of the decade, lock snapping has become far less common because most properties have up-to-date locks which are anti-snap. However, older properties and outdated locks remain a potential target for lock snapping.
Lock snapping takes around twenty seconds for a criminal new to the technique; however, a more skilled criminal could get the job done in under ten seconds. To the untrained eye, someone snapping a lock can look like they are simply struggling to get the lock to turn with the key; it is an inconspicuous way to enter a property without raising suspicion.
That Sounds Scary! How Can I Stop Locks From Being Snapped?
Luckily, the easiest way to prevent a lock snapping scenario is to have your locks replaced. A locksmith can supply and fit British Standards 3621-approved locks. These come with improved designs so that they are highly unlikely to be snapped, picked and/or bumped; all three highly common entry methods employed by the UK criminal underworld.
If you are unsure if your locks are anti-snap, then you need to take a look at your locks ASAP. However, your Euro cylinder locks also need to be fitted properly. Incorrect installation, which is common in DIY installations, can leave even anti-snap locks vulnerable to being broken into. If you are unsure if your locks are anti-snap and/or installed correctly, call a locksmith for a review.
An easy way to tell if your locks could be snapped is to look at your Euro cylinder lock. Does it stick out from the handle? If so, it probably needs to be replaced. A Euro cylinder lock should be flush to the door handle; a maximum exposure of around 2-3mm is acceptable, but not any more than that.
Anti-Snap Locks: At A Glance
As mentioned above, you can now buy locks which come with anti-snap protection. These immediately reduce the ability for a criminal to get into your house by using easy break-in methods. The harder you make the break-in process, the more likely it is that a criminal will give up and try another door instead. How do anti-snap locks work?
The main difference between locks that are anti-snap and older locks is the cylinder itself.
The cylinders have undergone independent testing to make sure that they no longer have the security vulnerabilities that were inherent in older cylinder locks.
They use a different central mechanism that no longer has the same structural weakness. This is known as the ‘sacrificial line’ and is vital to lock protection.
With traditional locks, they would snap, and that would allow access to the full lock mechanism. ]
With anti-snap locks, if snapped, the ‘sacrificial line’ breaks without leaving the rest of the mechanism accessible.
This means that the criminal cannot then access the internal components, which would allow them to unlock the door.
How Can I Test If My Locks Are Anti-Snap?
The easiest way to know if your locks are protected against lock snapping is to call a locksmith. They can quickly review your lock and make sure that it properly locks in the right areas. Since anti-snap locks do not come with an obvious identifier, it can be hard to tell them apart from standard locks.
However, one clear sign that your locks are protected from lock snapping is to look out for the Kitemark. The Kitemark looks a little bit like a heart with a squiggle line in the middle of it. If your lock has a 3-star rating on it, then you are good to go. One to two-star ratings can prevent lock snapping, but it is not guaranteed. Any locks which are not TS007:2012 approved are unlikely to be suitable.
When buying a lock, look out for anything in the description which marks the lock out as anti-snap protected. Generally, these cost you a little bit more; quality anti-snap locks should cost around £40 to £50. However, you can usually buy cheaper models in the £10 to £30 range.
Our advice would be to invest in a high-quality lock instead. The cost of a high-security, high-quality anti-snap lock is negligible. Compared to the cost of a break-in, why settle for less?
Protect Your Home With A Locksmith's Recommendations
As you can see, then, lock snapping is a problem that you should not ignore. Unless you know for a fact that your locks have been fitted in the last few years, there is no sense in assuming that you are protected from lock snapping. All it takes to find out if your locks need to be replaced is to call out a local locksmith. They can then carry out a review of your locks and give you a detailed response.
Should your locks not be protected from lock snapping, we recommend you have them replaced. Again, a locksmith can carry out the repair service for you so that you know it has been fitted to the correct standard. Avoid taking any risks and protect yourself, your home and your assets properly!