Top News

Experts are warning of a 'quiet' break-in method as burglars invade thousands of homes across England and Wales.

While many people may imagine smashed windows or forced doors, there's another trick used by thieves which can catch homeowners off guard.

Commonly known as lock snapping, this method sees burglars enter homes with the door still looking secure from the outside.

According to locksmith marketing company The Perspicacity Life, UK homes are vulnerable because many houses have below-standard or poorly fitting euro profile cylinders that stick out past the handles.

This makes the doors easy targets to grip and snap the lock. Police have previously warned about this type of burglary. In a Greater Manchester Police crime prevention update, Superintendent Chris Foster urged residents to take security seriously, saying: "We need the public to be aware of their personal safety and the security of their property."

On many modern front doors, especially uPVC and composite ones, the key doesn't go into the big handle itself. Instead, it goes into a separate metal "barrel" (often called a euro profile cylinder) inside the handle.

It might seem like a small detail, but this is often the exact part intruders target.

If the cylinder is vulnerable or badly fitted, it becomes the easiest point to attack - and this can be done quietly. The Perspicacity Life recommends a simple check to make sure your door is safer.

Stand side-on to your front door (outside) and look closely at the key barrel. If it protrudes past the handle, this gives someone more to grip and apply force. The frustrating part is that a door can still feel sturdy and "high security" even if the cylinder itself is the weak link.

Craig Andres, founder of The Perspicacity Life and an experienced locksmith, advises: "Make sure your euro profile cylinder fits flush with your outside handle." If you're not sure what you're looking at, don't dismiss it as "just how the door came."

A cylinder that sticks out past the handle is worth taking seriously. Consider contacting a locksmith to see if it poses a risk. If your door uses a euro cylinder, you often don't need a whole new door, you can usually just replace the cylinder itself.

That's why police advice focuses on upgrades that remove the "easy target" element. In the same Greater Manchester Police guidance, homeowners are advised to: "Look to upgrade your euro cylinder locks to an anti-snap cylinder lock with a three-star rating under TS 007..."

GMP also recommends improving door handles, including two-star rated handles that conform to TS 007.Craig's advice matches this. He recommends looking for a 3-star Diamond standard euro profile cylinder if you're worried about lock snapping.

He explains: "TS007 is a standard developed in response to euro lock attacks", and has shared some other tips to help keep your home safe

If the key starts to feel rough, the lock drags, or you need to jiggle it more than usual, don't force it. Small issues can get worse and lead to breakages - and bigger bills.

Pay attention to how your door closes during normal use. If it suddenly needs a shove to shut, or the key takes more effort to turn, that's a sign to check it out.

Burglars don't always take the most obvious route. If a side door, back door, or window feels easier to get through, that's where you need to focus your attention. The goal is to remove any "easy option" feeling.

Securing your home doesn't mean rushing to buy expensive gadgets or completely overhauling your doors. It's about thinking like a burglar-spotting what's quick, quiet, and easy to break.

By addressing the obvious weak points, such as the lock barrel, and keeping up simple daily checks, you can make your home a much harder target.