Burglars can technically bypass anti-snap locks, but high-quality ones make it incredibly difficult, time-consuming, and noisy. To break or bypass them, thieves usually rely on poor installation (protruding cylinders), destroying the surrounding door handle, or extreme tactics like melting the plastic with a blowtorch.
The purpose of an anti-snap lock is to deter burglars and make it extremely difficult for them to expose the cylinders locking mechanism. By using anti-snap locks, home and business owners can significantly enhance the security of their homes and better protect their valuables from break-ins.
When evaluating locks based on cut resistance, the tool used by the attacker dictates the "hardest" lock. Traditional bolt cutters are thwarted by hardened, non-round steel, while modern power tools like battery-powered angle grinders require locks made of specific advanced composite materials to resist cutting.
In 2011 Lock snapping burglaries were at a record high, 15.87% of break-ins, used to lock snapping to gain access. Shortly after in 2011, SS312 diamond standar for lock cylinders was introduced. Following this, in 2012, the TTS07 standard was developed. In 2019 only 8.32% of burglaries involved lock snapping.
An anti-snap lock usually has:
Anti-snap locks are crucial for protecting your property. They are reliable and durable, and they have been tested for security.
A good place to hide valuables could be the entrance area, for example, as it is often overlooked. An unused fireplace can also be used as a hiding place: simply remove the cover, place valuables inside and then close it again. It is unlikely that a thief will look there.
The time most robberies occur depends heavily on the type of crime. Commercial and street robberies tend to peak at night, while residential burglaries most commonly happen during the daytime.
The Core Recommendation: BS 3621 Standard Locks
To spot one, look for the iconic British Standard Kitemark on the faceplate along with 'BS 3621. ' Protect your home by choosing a lock that meets these thief-resistant standards—your peace of mind depends on it.
Certain lock varieties force locksmiths to risk damage during opening procedures, including digital vault systems, mechanical combination safes, and fingerprint-activated locks. These security devices demand specialized equipment or advanced opening techniques that standard locksmith tools cannot handle.
The Squire Stronghold SS100CS is universally recognized as the strongest production padlock in the world. It is the first padlock to achieve the highest possible CEN 6 security rating and an LPS 1654 SR4 rating, featuring dual-key access and a 20mm hardened boron steel shackle designed to resist heavy-duty power tools.
The easiest way to protect yourself is to use a lock that does not use a pin tumbler. Most mortice locks use levers and do not use pins on springs so are bump proof by design. We recommend British Standard Mortice Deadlocks.
Burglars hate anything that makes a break-in noisy, time-consuming, or highly visible. Criminals look for the path of least resistance; if a target requires too much effort or poses a high risk of getting caught, they will simply move on to an easier home.
Nighttime Burglaries
Around 21.8% of burglaries happen at night, between midnight and 4 a.m. Some reports say the numbers are closer to 53% during the day and 47% at night, showing that while burglars prefer daytime, the danger is there all the time.
Leaving a light on at night can deter burglars by eliminating dark hiding spots, but leaving the same light burning 24/7 can actually signal that you are not home. Security experts recommend specific lighting habits to maximize your home's safety:
Unfortunately, the answer is often yes. Research shows that if burglars aren't caught after their first attempt, they're much more likely to return — sometimes within days. Learn how to prevent repeat burglaries. It is generally believed that burglars will not return to the same place more than once.
The average burglar has only two options for entering your residence: doors and windows. Examine your entry points and see how well they would stand up to a thief. Doors and windows can be fashionably secured with ornate, yet sturdy, door handles and locks.
High privacy hedges, bushes, and walls around the property. Outdated window and door frames, as well as sliding glass doors or cheap wooden doors. Packages or mail stacking up on a porch or even recycling left out before collection could indicate you have recently gone out of town.
Finding ways to make it look like you're at home even when you're not is a great way to deter burglars. But it's also important to try to change up your routine every so often for the times you are home. Though burglars don't always stake out homes before they choose to break in, it does happen.
Apartment buildings with two to four units typically see the highest amount of burglaries. This is probably because plenty of people come and go from apartment complexes daily, whiles homes only have a few family members who enter or leave.
Hotel bathroom drawers and bedside tables: You may think keeping things out of sight will keep them safe, however, the Goodstone team explained that these are among the first places thieves check. “Hotel rooms follow standard layouts, so thieves can search them efficiently,” Asaad said.
The "washcloth trick" is a popular travel hack where a folded or rolled-up washcloth is wedged into the gap of a hotel door latch, deadbolt, or handle. It is most commonly used for enhanced safety to prevent intruders from tampering with the lock, though some travelers also use it to block light or sound.
WINDOW GLASS
Be mindful of where locks are placed close to the vulnerable glass, as some burglars may break the glass to access the lock. Do not make the mistake of opting for toughened glass - this is for safety which should not be confused with security.
Police typically recommend using high-quality deadbolt locks, specifically ANSI Grade 1 or Grade 2 deadbolts, for exterior doors.