uPVC door owners beware, lock bumping and lock snapping

[LeeW]

Just been reading about lock bumping and lock snapping of europrofile locks as commonly fitted to uPVC doors. Two increasingly common ways of opening vulnerable doors in seconds with minimal noise and damage and requiring far less skill and practice than conventional lock picking. To find out more, just put 'lock bumping' or 'lock snapping' into your favorite search engine. As these techniques exploit weaknesses in the lock cylinder itself it does not matter how many locking points the door has. Time for some new locks I think. Sash jammers/bolts on the inside of doors which are not main entry/exit doors, such as french doors are a good idea as they will keep the door secure even if the cylinder is snapped/bumped or picked. This is a good vid on youtube demonstrating lock snapping:
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXZzoY_AZjk


West yorkshire police now claim that 20% of home burglaries are committed by lock snapping.

There are various 'anti bump' and 'anti snap' europrofile cylinders available. Squire Snapsafe, Mul-T-Lock, Cisa Astral S and Avocet ABS to name a few. Some of these cylinders can still be bumped but require more skill/effort/tools than a regular lock. You can also protect yourself from lock snapping by installing special reinforced security handles/escutcheons which cover the cylinder and prevent it from being pulled out.
Something else to watch out for is that some insurance policies will not pay out for a burglary caused by lock bumping as it leaves no evidence of forced entry (snapping on the other hand is destructive).

 

[LeeW]

Intresting news article here: http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/loca...ls-warns-w-yorks-police-chief-86081-25075395/

 

[Campfire]

I've noticed how my conservatory door will not close without lifting the handle this cold weather. There is also a gap all around. I think I complained a couple of years ago but I believe if you have it fitting in extreme cold it won't close in the summer. No wonder my conservatory is freezing and I don't need to put things in the fridge - good job as it was jammed full over Christmas period.

 

[Sam Kennedy]

I've bumped a padlock before, it was scarily easy...

 

[longers]

It seems it'll be easier to get into my house than my shed!

 

[Crankarm]

I find using a key the easiest way to get in.

I don't have anything worth nicking anyway. Oh yes I do .......... my bikes .

Neither do I have uPVC double glazing - awful stuff, but that's probably an irrelevance.

I liked this bit at the end:

According to police, nearly a quarter of burglaries in Kirklees in the last year were the result of houses being left insecure – with the door unlocked or windows open.
They advise householders to keep doors locked even when they are at home and leave lights on when they are out.

 

[Aperitif]

Depends which numbers you are using Mort. Write them down and we'll write back and tell you. Remember to leave your address too.

Here's some info - I swapped the euro cylinders on my property when I moved in for this brand. It's a straightforward thing to do..

 

[Cubist]

"Quote re Kirklees open doors and windows:

Most frustrating situation in the world. People leaving windows and doors open. We have patrols walking beats specifically looking for open doors and windows at hot times, giving on the spot crime reduction advice.

 

[atbman]

Had garage broken into; They used a pair of molegrips/similar, clamped onto the bottom of the lock cover, snapped it and then did the same to the lock cyclinder. Took about 15 seconds. I was astonished at the poor quality of the metal - looked like the kind of stuff dinky toys were made of.

Cost £250 for new locks/handles for garage, front door and rear french doors - with me doing the fitting.

 

[LeeW]

Here's some info - I swapped the euro cylinders on my property when I moved in for this brand. It's a straightforward thing to do..

This video cause some loss of sleep, watch with caution.

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsgfNM8SR0I

 

[Aperitif]

This video cause some loss of sleep, watch with caution.

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsgfNM8SR0I

Yes - seen that also, but there is a 'subtle' difference betwen the bumper and the destroyer.
The last time I got burgled the guy (Size 11 Reebok prints on the floor) just outed the double glazing with a centre punch/ hanmmer / brick - whatever was available. Still no-one heard the noise!