Did you know that over 350,000 burglaries were recorded by the Home Office – Police Recorded Crime in the year ending March 2020?

No one wants to think about the possibility of their homes being burgled, it’s a horrifying prospect, but it is vital to remain vigilant when it comes to home security.

There are a number of simple steps you can take to help secure your home and deter burglars. As we are residential and home security specialists, we have had clients contact us about making their homes more secure, and this list of tips below are what we’ve shared with them in the past. Whilst some may seem obvious it’s good practice to remind ourselves of some of the things we should or should not be doing. By taking these steps now, you can rest assured knowing your home is safe and secure.

Before diving into these our tips, consider investing in home insurance as a backup plan in case a burglar does make it into your home and steals any of your valuables. Most homeowners insurance covers theft and burglaries, so if you do happen to be a victim of a break in, you can feel safe knowing your valuables are covered.

 

Valuables: If you can see it – they can see it too! 

Burglars want to be in and out of a property as quickly as they can, a handbag left by the door or a laptop left out on the table will make easy pickings for any home invader. Be sure to store your valuables out of sight, wherever possible. This is a sure-fire way of deterring burglars.

Another helpful tip is to store tell-tale boxes out of sight. If you’ve recently purchased a brand-new TV or maybe a laptop be sure to store the empty boxes out of sight until recycling day. Keep your jewellery hidden in boxes and out of sight.

You don’t want to advertise your new purchase to potential burglars!

In the same vein, some people choose to leave a wallet with cash by the door – this way if a burglar happens to break in, they’ll see the cash, grab it and leave immediately. We recommend you do this at your own risk and decide if this is something you want to do.

 

Fishing Burglaries

A common mistake, which many of us are guilty of making, is leaving keys by the door or on a hook in the hallway. As a homeowner it’s a logical place to put them but it may leave your property vulnerable to what is known as a ‘Fishing Burglary’; long poles or rods with strong magnets are used are to literally fish for keys. Make sure all keys are stored away from exit and entry points and are not visible from outside the property.

You may want to consider installing a letterbox guard as this will help prevent fishing and lock manipulation.

 

Social Media

We all love a holiday, there’s nothing better than a change of scenery and maybe even a bit of sunshine, if you’re lucky! Whilst it’s tempting to post your holiday snaps on social media, we would suggest abstaining – you never know who is seeing your posts.

 

Holidays

Burglars are opportunistic thieves looking for easy targets. Uncollected post sticking out of a letterbox, the absence of a vehicles on the driveway and lights being off at night may indicate a vacant property to a burglar.

If you are due to go on holiday ask a friend or neighbour to keep an eye on your property, collect your post while you are away and maybe even park their car on your driveway, if possible.

If your house is a smart home, you can set your lighting up to turn on and off at random times, making it look like you’re there.

If you don’t have a smart house, it may be worth investing in timer switches for your lights – timer switches allow you to schedule different times for your lights to be on during the day and night.

 

Home Security Systems

 

There are a wide range of home security options available, from motion activated security lights to interactive doorbells with recording functionality, all of which will most certainly help deter burglars from targeting a property – the risk of being seen and identified will give them pause for thought. If you are in the position to add these features to your home, it is certainly worth consideration.

CCTV cameras are a great way of keeping your home safe and secure. You can instal discreet cameras wherever you’d like and monitor various locations around your home or property, and can catch any possible intruders in the act. Protect your home with a CCTV camera – you’ll feel safer for it. Many CCTV cameras nowadays stream live to your laptop, phone, or even your smart watch. This means you can always check in on your home, no matter where you are.

You can also instal a burglar alarm, which is usually a motion activated alarm that alerts you if there is movement in your home when there shouldn’t be any. If you have any pets, it is possible to change the sensitivity of the motion sensors to detect only human-sized intruders. This ensures that you can leave your pet safely at home should you happen to be out while knowing that your home is protected against break ins.

You can also set up a ‘Beware of the Dog’ sign outside your home, even if you don’t have a dog. Possible burglars will see the sign and be deterred by the possibility of an aggressive dog on the property. Some people even choose to automate occasional barking sounds using their smart home technology to be really convincing.

 

Keep an eye out for suspicious people

Many burglars look at possible homes to burgle beforehand. If you notice anyone you don’t recognise taking photographs of your home, walking around the perimeter of your home or approaching your home, be wary and contact the police.

 

Door and Locks

Certified Locksmiths and Security and Metropolitan Police recommend asking a locksmith to review your doors and locks to ensure they are in good working order. Inadequately fitted locks and locks in poor condition may leave your property at risk.

If you are in doubt and in need of expert assistance, please feel free to contact Abbey Locks for a security survey and quote. We are approved by the Master Locksmith Association and have been providing locksmith and security services in the North London and Hertfordshire area for over 20 years.

 

We can assist with the following Home Security Services: –

·      Free insurance and security surveys

·      Locks fitted to Insurance standards (BS 3621)

·      Door reinforcement

·      Replacement doors

·      Window locks fitted

·      Safes supplied and fitted

·      Grilles and bars

·      Restricted key locks

·      Access control systems

·      Alarms

 

 

Bait and Switch

In recent months Abbey Locks have received an increasing number of enquiries from new customers who, after using another service provider, feel they may have fallen foul of a bait-and-switch scam sweeping through the Locksmith industry.

The Master Locksmiths Association have noted a growing increase in the number of cases of this fraudulent tactic, particularly in London, North London as well as the Hertfordshire area. One recent example we have encountered involved a vulnerable gentleman who contacted a reputable locksmith, or so he believed. What began as a relatively simple lock replacement, which should have cost in the region of £200, cost the gentleman in excess of £700. This is a shocking case, but sadly, is not unique.

As with all industries there are inevitable rate variations between contractors, however, the prevalence of this scam is cause for concern and can result in customers paying a significantly inflated rate for the simplest of jobs.

Here at Abbey Locks we are happy to help customers who may have fallen victim to the scam and will do whatever we can to assist, but we would much rather it didn’t happen in the first instance! In a bid to help stamp out the bait and switch scam we want to share some helpful information and advice.

What is bait-and-switch?

The bait-and-switch scam works by luring in unsuspecting customers with an extremely cheap headline price (the bait) only to find themselves with a bill 10 times the advertised amount (the switch).

Tell-Tale signs of the bait and switch scam

• If a deal is too good to be true, it almost certainly is!

The Master Locksmiths Association recommends exercising caution if you come across Locksmith Google Adverts for £39 / £49 / £59. It is worth asking yourself ‘How can this locksmith offer a much cheaper rate than everyone else?’.

If you are being offered a significantly lower rate, it does not always represent a better deal!

• If the pricing terms are confusing

The use of technical jargon and a general lack of clarity is a tactic often used in an attempt to deliberately confuse customers and coerce them into paying for something they do not want nor need. The scammers main objective is to trick customers into accepting different terms at a much higher price.

• If the fine print surrounding the deal is vague and confusing

A reputable locksmith or company will make sure their fine print is easy to read and digest as their goal is to help you in purchasing the right service. Scammers will try to confuse you with jargon and contradictions. If the fine print is difficult to navigate and understand it’s a red flag!

The locksmith is out of stock

Not having a particular lock in stock is not, in itself, a cause for concern. An honest locksmith will be apologetic and arrange a return visit when the item is back in stock, alternatively, they may offer a similar item of similar price. Be cautious if they are trying to sell or promote another product entirely.

If the Locksmith tries to push a different deal

Trying to coerce customers into buying an entirely different product than the one they have requested is potentially a red flag. If you feel uncomfortable or coerced in any way; trust your gut.

Abbey Locks’ advice to customers

• • Be wary of locksmith’s advertising using Google Ads, especially if the prices they are promoting are around £39-£59. They are almost certainly scammers. Always do your research beforehand – don’t spend money on a service on a whim just because the deal seems like a once in a lifetime bargain!

• • Always compare prices with other trusted locksmith companies. This will help you get an understanding of the average price they charge for a specific service. It will also help you identify if a price is suspiciously low!

• • Always do your research – Locksmith reviews are available on multiple platforms; reviews offer a good insight into the service level you can expect and help you source a locksmith with a good reputation

• • Make sure the locksmith holds a CLS Locksmith Licence or the company is a member of Certified locksmiths and Security.

An open window can be an invitation to a burglar, even if the window isn’t big enough for someone to fit through, they may be able to access the handle of a larger window or simply just reach in and grab or use a tool to take whatever is in sight.

We recommend installing additional key locking window locks on any wooden windows and consider fitting additional locks on any UPVC windows. This will add to the security and is also what most home insurance companies now ask for. As well as improving security it is also a good safety feature if you small children, especially on the upper floors of flats and houses.

Sash Windows Lock

Normally consisting of two vertically sliding panels or “sashes” they are one of the easiest windows for a burglar to open and are common place in and around the London area and other parts of the UK. As standard they are usually fitted with a surfaced mounted fitch or screw fastener in the centre of the window which means the only thing stopping the windows from passing each other and opening is the small screws that attach the fasteners to the timber.

On many properties the windows are also fitted with single glazed glass panels which are not normally toughened. These can be broken easily meaning a potential thief could reach in and undo the fasteners. We highly recommend installing additional key locking window locks to any sash windows.

Wooden Casement Window Lock

Hinged from the side or top of the window, often fitted with stays and fasteners and more recently key locking versions casement windows are more secure than sash windows but can still be easily opened with the right tools. All accessible windows should be fitted with at least one key locking window lock to comply with most home insurance policies. We recommend installing additional window locks to all wooden casement windows.

UPVC Window Locks

UPVC Windows Most modern upvc windows come with multi-point locking mechanisms and key locking handles fitted as standard, complying with most home insurance guidelines and on the whole are more secure than traditional wooden windows. Although the security is often adequate, the composition of the windows is not as strong as timber and will flex, sometimes enough for the window to be opened even though it’s been locked. As an extra measure we recommend fitting sash jammers to any upvc windows, these are relatively inexpensive and will give an extra layer of protection if the locking mechanism is bypassed.

Window Restrictors

It is tempting to leave a smaller fanlight window open during the summer period, we wouldn’t recommend doing this on any accessible windows while you are out of the property as it could encourage an opportunist thief to attempt a break in. We suggest only leaving windows open that are on the 1st floor or higher and not accessible by a flat roof or drainpipe and make sure a window restrictor is fitted.

Locksmiths are in a position to see all the different ways that break-ins happen, what fails and what holds. This makes them excellent at evaluating your property to help keep your family and belongings as secure as possible. Local locksmiths have a wealth of knowledge on what types of break-ins are occurring in the area and can advise you on how best to combat these through improved home security or even having a lock change completed on your exterior doors.

What is a Home Security Survey?

A home security survey is a confidential assessment that identifies features in your home, business, or routine that makes you an easy target for burglars or vandals. The evaluator goes through the property and includes all of the windows, doors, locks, lights and landscaping. Recommendations are made in the final report, but it is ultimately up to you what action you choose to take.

Why Do I Need One?

While some criminals spend a lot of time staking out a property and planning ahead, the truth is that most thieves look for the easiest target, one they can get into and out of quickly. The more difficult you make it for them to get in, the more likely they are to move on. A home security survey shows weaknesses in your defence.

Some quick facts from local locksmiths about break-ins:

• Most occur during the day when no one is home.
• Burglars spend around one minute to gain entry and less than five minutes inside.
• Most break ins occur on the ground floor.
• Cheap doors and windows are often an easy access point.

An Example of a Problem Area:

The Front Door You might be surprised that a thief would try coming in through the front door, but if they can do it quickly the odds of being seen are low.

The first thing they will look for is a hidden key because they know how common this is. You may think your hiding place is safe, but it’s never a good idea to leave a key lying around. Give a copy to a trusted neighbour instead.

If they don’t find a key they will try to force the door. Relying on a simple latch lock or lock in the doorknob makes it easy to force open. A crowbar inserted at the lock point will bow the frame or simply push the strike plate away from the wood and it doesn’t take a lot of force.

So how can you make your door more secure?

First, exterior doors should be solid core for strength. Then upgrade the locks, or consider a lock change and remember to use them. A British Standard or ANSI/BHMA graded deadlock has stronger parts and a longer bolt that will go deep into the frame. The strike plate should be high quality as well and installed with longer screws. They will go into the house’s framing members so it’s much less likely to rip out.

Problems Solved

This is just one example of the kind of information you can get with a professional home security survey. Every access point is an opportunity for entry to a thief, but with a little help you can make it less likely they will succeed, and they may just look for an easier target instead.

When living in a flat or apartment it may seem harder to secure your property because it isn’t just you living in the building. There are more people going in and out, meaning more potential for intrusion or theft. This article will help you evaluate potential risks that come with apartment living before you sign a lease and learn what you can do after you move in to minimise those risks.

Before You Move In

The first step in deciding where to live is choosing the right neighbourhood. Visit at different times of the day to see what it’s like and do your research to see how safe the area is. You can go online and enter your post code to find out instantly what kinds of crimes have been reported.

Visit a potential apartment after dark and pay attention to the lighting. Try to go everywhere that you would if you lived there. Start on the street outside, check the entry, stairways and elevators, hallways, the laundry, the mail area and car park. Good lighting puts a potential criminal in full view, offers more home security and discourages burglars from trying anything. If you notice any areas that are not well lit point them out to the manager and ask about installing additional lighting.

The front door of the building is a communal door so it’s a major home security element for all of the residents. In most cases it will require a key, passcode or to be buzzed in, giving everyone who lives in the building control over who enters. Ideally, this will include an audio and video system. If you are in any doubt as to the condition of the locks, ask your landlord to recommend reputable locksmiths in the area that can complete a lock change.

Before you sign a lease ask the landlord if they can have a lock change completed in your home. You never know how many previous tenants may have kept a copy of the keys, and to be sure you are the only one who has access it’s best to start new. Experienced locksmiths can recommend a lock that best fits your door to keep it secure and can usually complete the lock change in a short amount of time.

After You Move In

The steps you should take to keep your apartment safe are very similar to ones you would take if you lived in a house.

First, make use of blinds or curtains to keep your belongings from being on display. An apartment full of valuables can look like a shop front to a criminal.

If you have a ground floor patio or a balcony you’ll need to take extra measures to secure this any windows and exterior doors. Even when locked some sliding doors are easy to force off the tracks, so consider adding additional security.

Most criminals will think twice about targeting an apartment that has an alarm system. With improved technology, many are wireless and installation will cause no damage to the apartment, so having one shouldn’t bother the landlord.

Renting an Apartment Doesn’t Mean Less Home Security

Work together with your landlord to make your property as safe as possible. After all, it’s their property too, they will appreciate you wanting to protect it, improve home security and make everyone who lives there safer.

The first step in preventing a robbery is to make it as difficult as possible for a thief to get in. That means knowing what crooks are looking for when they target homes as well as keeping your home security measures up to date.

Here are 10 tips locksmiths in Watford recommend residents use to keep their homes and valuables safer:

1. Lock Up

The most basic strategy is to lock all of your doors and windows, including upper floors. Remember not to leave the keys in them. Doing so might make it harder for you to misplace them but easier for a thief who can break the glass and reach in to undo the lock.

2. Secure Your Property

Improve your home security by securing the boundaries of your property, including fences and gates. Take periodic walks looking for any nearby tree branches or other things that could be used to climb over the top. In dark areas around the exterior consider adding more lighting.

3. Don’t Supply the Tools

Lock up tools so they can’t be used to break windows or take things apart and ladders to prevent a thief from climbing to a higher floor to gain access. Store your bins behind a gate if possible so no one can climb on them.

4. Avoid Broadcasting Your Plans

Announcing what you’re up to on social media helps a thief to track your movements and know the best time to break in. According to most locksmiths in Watford, talking about your plans online don’t give specific times or locations and be aware of privacy settings so you know who can see your posts.

5. Understand Your Insurance

Understand your insurance compliance requirements. Are high-value items covered? Know what is necessary to receive compensation if you are broken into, and keep receipts and manuals even if you just throw them all in a box.

6. Neighbourhood Watch

When you go away let a trusted neighbour know and ask them to watch your property while you’re gone. Make sure they have your contact information so they can reach you if anything happens.

7. Lock Change

Consider getting experienced locksmiths in Watford to install new locks to update your home security. Older homes especially may have outdated locks that are easier to bypass, and technology is always improving. As simple lock change can be a great way to keep criminals at bay.

8. Keep Your Keys Safe. Keep car keys out of sight.

In some instances, burglars take the car keys during the initial break in and returning later to steal the car, especially high-performance ones.

9. Deal With Deliveries Quickly

Avoid leaving boxes outside of your home. Items that have been delivered are easy to steal right off the stoop with your new item still inside. Empty boxes sitting by the bins advertise the new items that are inside the house, and even an unmarked box is evidence of newly bought goods that might be valuable.

10. Maintain Privacy

Close your curtains, especially at night. When it’s dark outside and the house is lit up it’s easy to see valuable items inside. A house full of valuable items can look like a shop front to a criminal. Protect Yourself Take advantage of the services offered by Locksmiths in Watford and be aware of your surroundings to help keep your property and your family safe from break-ins.

Often the difference between a secure home and one that thieves see as an easy target is the behaviour and vigilance of the people who live there. You can avoid helping a criminal get into your house by checking for any weak areas inside and outside your home.

Outside The House

Not Enough Light

Burglars like to work in the dark, so having areas around your property that are not well lit offers them places to hide. Timers can make sure the lights come on even when you aren’t there, or if you don’t want to have lights on all night consider installing lights with motion sensors.

Hiding the Spare Keys

Under the mat, on top of the frame, even in special stones that are designed to blend in; no matter how secure you think your hiding place is, looking for a key by the front door is the first step a burglar takes. Experienced locksmiths will tell you not to leave a key lying around for them to find but to instead ask a neighbour you trust to keep one in case of an emergency.

An Unlocked Tool Shed

Many people leave their shed unlocked for easy access, but it’s not just you that may be going inside. Power tools can be easily sold or a more ambitious crook may use them to access other parts of the property, especially with things like ladders.

Leaving the Garage Open

A garage that’s left open for any length of time puts its’ contents on display, and it is becoming common for organised gangs to come through and steal expensive bikes that can be quickly sold for cash. Improve your home security and avoid this situation by simply locking the garage door when it’s not in use.

Inside the House

Forgetting About Secondary Entrances

Just because you don’t use it very often doesn’t mean that a thief won’t. If you have a door you don’t use very often you can add a sliding bolt or a bar to the inside. This makes it almost impossible to force the door open from the outside but allows it to still be usable as an emergency exit if required.

Keys left in a door

Leaving your keys in the door may keep them from being misplaced but it also makes it easier for a thief to use them to gain entry according to UK locksmiths. If there is glass nearby they can break it and reach in or it’s possible to use magnets to turn a door lock when the keys are left in it.

Open windows

Windows are already one of the weakest points in your home security plan, and an open window is an invitation to criminals. Windows are also left unlocked more often than doors, making them an easy access point that criminals know to check.

Bags in the hallway

A handbag with a wallet and car keys sitting in the hallway can be easily spotted by peeking through windows or letterboxes. It makes a tempting target just inside the house that can be quickly taken.

Protect Yourself

Knowing where your weak points are is the first step toward protecting your family and your property. For a thorough assessment ask one of the reputable locksmiths in your area to do a home security survey on your property and improve the odds of keeping crooks out.

Unfortunately, the odds are high that all of us will need the services of a locksmith at some time in our lives. It can be frightening to trust a stranger to access your home or business, and there are a few people who may try to make some extra cash off of the situation.

It’s also unfortunate that, in any industry, you get the few ‘cowboys’ who tend to ruin it for the rest of us. Frustrating as it may be, we’ve create a guide on how to choose a locksmith you can trust.

 

Check their reviews

Any locksmith ‘worth their salt’ will have online reviews from a number of sources. At the end of the day, our industry is built on trust which is why customer reviews are such an important factor.

At Abbey Locks, we invest lots of effort in making sure our customers are left happy with the work we’ve carried out, whether it’s lock fitting and repair or a security survey or  That’s why we ask our customers to publish reviews on the review platform that suits them. Our current reviews at the time of writing are 4.9/5 on TrustaTrader, 9.1/10 on TrustPilot and 9.9/10 on CheckaTrade.

 

Research before you need them

Be prepared by looking at local locksmiths in your area before you need one. If you’re in Watford, like many of our customers are, a quick internet search will bring up a lot of results, but asking other people for first-hand feedback is a more personal way to choose. You can take the time to check the company’s credentials, look over their website, find out if they offer an emergency locksmith service or even check out their location. Save the number in your phone once you find one you like.

Get an estimate and ask how to pay

When you call you should be able to get an estimate of what the work will cost over the phone. They should be able to break that cost down for you as well, including emergency fees that may apply.

BEWARE, any locksmith that offers a low “guaranteed” rate, it’s very likely to go up once labour and service fees are added after the work is done. When the locksmith arrives get a written copy of the estimate. This gives you the ability to dispute the work they do, and the written estimate should match the one you were given over the phone.

Ask what kind of payment they accept before they start work. Locksmiths who ask for cash only payment is almost sure to be a scam, all companies today accept cash, cheques and credit cards.

Look for a recognisable name

This does not mean a name you already know, it refers to the work every business puts in to get their name out and be recognised by people who need their services. Be wary if they answer their phone in a generic manner, such as “emergency locksmith service” instead of using a unique company name.

Having the company name, logo and phone number on the vehicle is easy advertising, and the technician should be in uniform and willing to show you their company ID. If someone shows up in an unmarked vehicle or can’t prove who they are, you should not let them in.

You could even run a company search at companies house to double-check their credentials.

Look for locksmiths with experience

In the films or tv shows, a locksmith will tend to drill through a lock or break down a door to gain access. In reality, this is a very rare occurrence. A skilled and experienced locksmith, who knows what they are doing, will usually change a lock will very little damage, if any.

If they want to destroy your lock in order to fix it, they either aren’t any good or aren’t legitimate, and they just want to charge you more for the work. Either way, that’s not the person you want doing the job unless they provide full justification for doing so.

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