According to Office for National Statistics data, a staggering 272,402 burglaries were reported in England and Wales in the year ending June 2023.

The 2022/2023 data reveal that the London Metropolitan area recorded the most home burglaries, with 37,466 burglaries reported to the police. This is equal to an average of 102 burglaries per day. Greater Manchester followed closely behind with 16,141 reported home burglaries.

Burglars have multiple methods of breaking into their victim’s residence, such as lock bumping, lock drilling, lock picking, and lock snapping. In 2019, an estimated 8.32 percent of burglaries involved lock-snapping, according to the Master Locksmith Association.

Enhancing your home’s entry points can reinforce its overall security. This includes installing high-quality locks, which are more difficult and elaborate to force open. Sometimes, they alone are enough as a visible deterrent, as career burglars would know which locks are too much trouble and which are not by name. It is one of the most effective ways to protect your property from burglars.

Keeping your property safe from burglars

Keeping your property safe can be as simple as locking your doors and windows. According to ONS data ending in March 2022, around 70 percent of burglaries ensued because the victims had neglected to lock their doors. It is, therefore, advisable to always lock your doors and all windows, even when home.

When installing a new door, choosing products tested to British standards and approved by the insurance industry is essential. Talk to your locksmith about getting the standard PAS 24 2022.

Consider replacing your door locks with the ones that a locksmith from the Master Locksmith Association chose. The locksmith can also reinforce the frame and check if the locks and hinges are British standard-approved.

When you move to a new place, changing the locks is a good idea. According to a survey by the Master Locksmith Association, almost a third (32 percent) of people still have the keys to their previous homes. This means that if you don’t change the locks, someone who used to live in your home could have access to it without your knowledge.

Choosing the right locks 101

There is no one-size-fits-all solution when choosing the best locks for your home or business. You need to consider the type of door, the locks’ security rating, and your budget.

The first type of lock to consider is a multi-point lock, a key-operated lock that offers high security. Unlike standard locks that secure the door at a single point, a multi-point lock secures it at multiple points (often 3, 5, or 7). This makes it much harder for burglars to force open.

These locks are commonly fitted in uPVC and composite doors but can also be fitted to timber and aluminium doors.

Euro cylinder lock is another popular choice for door security, with an additional casing that reinforces the cylinder. These locks are designed to resist forced entry methods like lock snapping and blow torching, preventing the thief from breaking the lock cylinder.

When selecting a euro cylinder lock, ensure it has a verified anti-snap rating to guarantee its effectiveness. A lock should adhere to SS312 Diamond and TS007 3 Star to be considered anti-snap.

Multi-point locks are most commonly fitted to uPVC and composite doors and, although less common, timber doors. Apart from the standard front door, you can also use anti-snap locks on other types of doors, such as patio, wooden, composite, and aluminium doors.

Smart locks, or keyless door locks, can be the best choice. You can control and unlock the lock remotely using a smartphone app. Many smart locks also feature a numeric keypad, which requires a code to open. They can be fitted to most doors, such as wooden, aluminium, and uPVC.

Other lock types to consider are rim cylinder locks with deadlatch and 5-lever mortice sashlocks.

If you are still unsure about which lock to get, you can hire the help of security companies like Marengo. They can create tailored security plans for your property, including fortifying your locks.