How to protect your property from lock snapping

As part of of the Humberside Police‘s crime monitoring, they have identified an increase of burglaries in the area, where entry has been gained using a method called lock snapping.

Lock snapping is a method used by burglars to snap the euro cylinder in a door. The majority of cylinders are the ‘vulnerable’ point of a multi locking system on a door, which is why they are the point of the locking system that is attacked.

An easy method to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of this type of offence, is to fit a cylinder that is tested to resist a lock snapping attack.

Such a cylinder will have a diamond shape for the Sold Secure Diamond Standard or 3 stars for the 3 star kitemark, examples of which are shown below.

Cylinders that are tested to these standards are designed not to snap as other cylinders do, making it very difficult for the locking mechanism to be manipulated and the door opened.
These cylinders, if fitted correctly will stop most burglars using basic tools, from gaining entry. The cylinders will cause them to make more noise, increasing the chance that they will be seen or heard.

Also ensure that the correct size cylinder if fitted for the size of your door, as cylinders are not a one size fits all. The picture below shows how a cylinder should and shouldn’t be fitted.

If fitted correctly it is very difficult for a burglar to grip the cylinder to snap it.

Burglars also break the handles to allow better access to the cylinder, so they can snap a lock more easily. You can protect the cylinder by fitting a 2 star handle that has being designed to withstand an attack and can prevent a door being opened from the outside.

A simple internet search on 3 star cylinders and 2 star handles will provide further information on both

Additional crime prevention advice can be found on the Secured By Design Website here