Lock snapping is one of the most common burglary methods, and it has been estimated around 27% of all burglaries are through snapping the lock. Lock snapping occurs when force is applied to the outside of the cylinder, using mole grips or similar.
The thief first has to gain access to the cylinder. Once this has been done the cylinder can be easily snapped at the weakest point by force, giving the thief access to the lock cams which enables them to open the door.
However, it's also important to note that anti-snap locks don't make it impossible to break in – just much more difficult. Thieves can use other methods to get past them or might look for other vulnerabilities in other doors or windows.
If force is applied to either end of the cylinder, the intruder will break the lock at the anti-snap line and not at the centre of the cylinder, leaving the locking mechanism intact. This prevents the intruder from breaking the lock and entering the home.
Euro cylinder lock snapping is one of the most common forms of forced entry and occurs in about 27% of all burglaries. That is just under 1 in 3.
Abloy Protec2 PL 330 Padlock
It is one of the only locks in the world that has never been picked. It has a hardened boron alloy steel shackle to provide resistance to bolt cutters (but is not bolt cutter proof). The padlock body is brass and the shackle and body are chrome plated, so it is very rust-resistant.
Lock picking is a combination of skill, training, practice, specialist tools and patience. However, trust us, that is not the profile of the typical UK burglar. UK burglars are not highly skilled, trained lock pickers. They are thugs who try and batter their way through your door and lock.
The good news is that experienced burglars hate smart security and smart locks. As a result, they would much rather target the 75% of homeowners who have no home security system whatsoever.
Although there are three basic types of snap locks—annular, cantilever and torsional—they all share the design considerations listed above.
According to her research, an overwhelming majority of burglars enter homes through the doors and windows. Thirty-four percent use the front door, while 22 percent get in through the back door. Twenty-three percent use first-floor windows. And oftentimes, those doors and windows aren't even locked.
Less than 2% of burglaries involve shimming or picking a lock. It's important to remember that burglary and robbery are different. Burglars intentionally enter a property without the lawful owner's consent to commit a felony or intent to steal.
Even though it may take some time to pick a deadbolt, many burglars are well equipped to handle it with ease. Choose a lock that has a high security cylinder if possible. These locks will have a special pin inside of them, which cannot be picked using a standard tool.
“Everybody suddenly wanted those locks.”How lock bumping works is that a special key (a bump key) is cut to the deepest cuts of a possible key and then the key is “bumped” into the cylinder of the lock, nudging the pins into place on the key until they're all settled properly and the key can turn in the lock.
Burglary Prevention Basics
Even if it is for a short time, lock your doors. Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day. Keep your garage door closed and locked.
A 3 Star Rating Protects Against Snapping
To protect against lock snapping a 3-star rating needs to be reached. To achieve this, you can use a 3-star euro lock cylinder. Expert Tip: We recommend that a 3rd party approval of this standard is sought.
Burglars may try a number of methods to try and gain access to your home, including picking your lock. The most obvious signs your lock has been tampered with are visible dents and scuff marks around the key hole.
Sash jammers can be a brilliant addition to your door security; they are simple to fit and they do a good job of keeping the burglars at bay. On the downside, as with most things, the more they are used the more they will wear out.
Your attic is not likely to be visited by a burglar because they are usually hard to find and access. So, it is always a good idea to store valuables in attic storage containers.
These are the most common points of entry for home break-ins: Front door: 34% of burglars twist the doorknob and walk right in. First-floor windows: 23% use a first-floor open window to break into your home. Back door: 22% come in through the back door.