Make Your Home Harder to Break Into
A professional security assessment and targeted upgrade package tailored to your property. Anti-snap cylinders, door reinforcement, window locks, and more — all installed by a DBS-checked locksmith.
Most Homes Are Easier to Enter Than You Think
The majority of residential break-ins in the UK are opportunistic. Burglars are not sophisticated — they look for the path of least resistance, and they move on quickly if a property looks difficult to get into.
The good news is that even small, affordable upgrades significantly reduce your risk. Anti-snap cylinders, window locks, and reinforced door furniture together make most burglary attempts impractical and noisy — both of which a burglar wants to avoid.
We carry out a thorough assessment of your property’s entry points, identify the weakest spots, and recommend only the upgrades that will make a genuine difference. No unnecessary products, no upselling.
Standard Euro Cylinders
Most uPVC doors have standard cylinders that can be snapped in under 10 seconds using a simple tool available online. This is the number one entry method for residential burglaries in the UK.
Unlocked or Weak Window Locks
Ground floor and accessible upper windows are a very common point of entry. Many older window handles offer almost no resistance to forced entry.
Back and Side Door Weaknesses
Rear doors and gates are out of public view and often less well secured than the front door. Single-point deadbolts and lightweight door furniture are easily forced.
No Door Reinforcement
The lock is only as strong as the door frame it sits in. Weak frames can be kicked in even with a good lock fitted. Door reinforcement hardware dramatically increases resistance to forced entry.
No Visible Security Deterrents
Properties with visible security measures are consistently skipped by opportunistic burglars in favour of easier targets nearby.
From Assessment to Upgraded
We take a systematic approach — assess first, recommend second, install only what is genuinely needed. No guesswork and no pressure.
Security Assessment
We walk the perimeter of your property and examine every entry point — front door, back door, side gate, ground floor windows, and accessible upper windows. We identify what is weak and why.
Written Recommendations
We provide a clear list of recommended upgrades, ranked by risk level. You choose what you want to proceed with — there is no obligation and no pressure to go beyond what you are comfortable with.
Professional Installation
All upgrades are installed on the same visit where possible. We carry the most common anti-snap cylinders, window locks, and door hardware on the van, so most jobs are done in a single call.
Insurance Documentation
We provide written confirmation of all work carried out, including product ratings and British Standards references. Many home insurers offer reduced premiums when certified security upgrades are installed.
Our Security Upgrade Range
Every product we install is chosen for its genuine security benefit. We only recommend what we would fit on our own properties.
Anti-Snap Cylinders
Upgrade to a TS007 3-star rated anti-snap Euro cylinder. When a snapping attack is attempted, only the outer sacrificial section breaks — the internal lock mechanism remains intact and the door stays locked.
Window Locks
We fit key-operated sash locks, casement locks, and patio door locks to all accessible windows. Window locks are one of the most cost-effective security improvements available — and one of the most overlooked.
Door Chains & Restrictors
A door chain or restrictor allows you to open the door partially while keeping it secured. We fit solid brass and stainless steel options that resist forcing.
Additional Door Bolts
Hinge bolts, mortice rack bolts, and flush bolts add independent locking points to any door. Particularly effective on back and side doors where a multipoint lock may not be fitted.
Door Reinforcement
We fit London bar door reinforcement, door frame repair kits, and security striker plates to protect against kick-in attacks. The lock can only perform as well as the frame it is fitted to.
Smart Lock Upgrades
We supply and fit smart locks compatible with Yale and Ultion cylinders — allowing keypad or app-based access without compromising security ratings. Ideal for rental properties and households with children.
How Secure Is Your Home Right Now?
Run through this checklist. If you answer no to more than two of these, your property has exploitable weaknesses worth addressing.
Is your front door cylinder anti-snap rated?
Most homes still have standard cylinders vulnerable to snapping attacks — the most common residential burglary method.
Do all ground floor windows have key-operated locks?
Window handles alone provide almost no resistance. Key-operated locks are a simple, low-cost upgrade.
Is your back door secured with bolts in addition to the main lock?
Rear doors are out of public view. A mortice bolt or hinge bolt provides an independent second line of defence.
Does your door have a chain or restrictor?
Allows you to check who is at the door without fully opening it — simple to fit and useful every day.
Has your door frame been reinforced with a quality strike plate?
Standard strike plates can fail in a single kick. Reinforced plates with 75mm screws are a different proposition entirely.
Many home insurers require TS007-rated cylinders and BS3621 mortice locks as a condition of cover. We provide written confirmation of all installed products with British Standards ratings, accepted by most major UK insurers.
The Biggs Difference
We give honest advice based on what your property actually needs. That is how we have built a 5-star reputation across East London.
No Call-Out Fee
The assessment itself is free. You only pay for products and installation if you choose to go ahead — and even then, we confirm the price before a single tool comes out of the bag.
DBS Checked & Insured
We are fully DBS checked and carry public liability insurance. Our customers let us into their homes, and we take that trust seriously. Fully verifiable on request.
Rated Products Only
We only install products that meet recognised British Standards — TS007, BS3621, and equivalent ratings. If it cannot be independently verified, we do not fit it.
Same-Day Upgrades
In the vast majority of cases, we carry out the full upgrade on the same visit as the assessment. No coming back for parts, no scheduling delays. Most jobs done within 90 minutes.
Insurance Documentation
We provide a written record of all installed security products including British Standards ratings and installation date. Accepted by most major UK home insurers.
5-Star Google Rated
Our reputation is built on honest work and genuine results. Every review reflects a real customer in East or North London who trusted us with their home security.
What Our Customers Say
Real reviews from homeowners across East and North London.
After a neighbour was burgled, I called Ivor to check how secure our house was. He was thorough, honest, and did not try to sell us anything we did not need. Fitted anti-snap cylinders and window locks on the spot. Very reassured now.
Ivor pointed out that our back door only had a single bolt and no hinge bolts — something I had never even thought about. He fitted everything the same afternoon and gave us a certificate for our insurance. Could not ask for more.
I manage several rental properties and use Biggs Locksmiths for all security upgrades between tenancies. Reliable, fast, and fair. The documentation they provide keeps my insurers happy and my tenants feel safe.
East & North London, Covered
Based in Chingford E4, we cover a wide area across East London, North London, and West Essex. Call us to check your area.
Not sure if we cover you? Call us and we will confirm within seconds.
Check Your Area — 07971 565246Home Security FAQs
Straight answers to the questions we hear most often about home security upgrades.
What is cylinder snapping and how does anti-snap protection work?
Cylinder snapping is a technique where a burglar inserts a snapping tool into the Euro cylinder of a uPVC or composite door, applies leverage, and snaps the cylinder at a point of weakness. Once the outer section breaks away, the remaining stub can be turned with a screwdriver, unlocking the door. Anti-snap cylinders are engineered so that under a snapping attack, only a sacrificial outer section breaks — the internal mechanism remains intact and locked. A snapping attack on an anti-snap cylinder achieves nothing.
Will these upgrades affect my home insurance?
In most cases, positively. Many insurers specify a minimum lock standard — typically TS007 3-star cylinders and BS3621 mortice locks — as a condition of cover. If you have sub-standard locks, you may find a claim is disputed after a break-in. Installing rated products and keeping documentation protects your cover and in some cases results in a reduced premium. We provide written confirmation of all installed products with British Standards references, accepted by most major UK home insurers.
How long does a full home security assessment take?
For a typical three-bedroom house, the assessment itself takes around 20–30 minutes. We check all doors and accessible windows, examine the frames and locks, and identify the specific vulnerabilities. If you choose to proceed, most standard upgrade packages are completed in the same visit — typically 60–90 minutes in total from arrival to completion.
Do I need to be there for the assessment?
Yes — we need access to all entry points including the rear of the property, so someone needs to be present throughout. If you are a landlord, your tenant can be present in your place. We are happy to work with managing agents and lettings staff, and we can send you the full assessment report by email after the visit.
What brands of anti-snap cylinder do you supply?
We carry and install several TS007 3-star rated anti-snap cylinders, including Ultion, Mul-T-Lock, and Yale Superior. Ultion is our most recommended — it has an additional security clutch mechanism that disengages under attack, and it carries a £2,000 guarantee against snapping. We always measure the existing cylinder before recommending a replacement to ensure the correct size and profile.
Can you secure a rental property between tenancies?
Absolutely — this is one of the most common jobs we do. Between tenancies is the ideal time to change cylinders, check all locks are functioning correctly, and address any vulnerabilities identified. We can work quickly around void periods and provide full written documentation for your records. We work regularly with landlords and lettings agencies across East London and West Essex.
We Also Help With
A complete locksmith service for every security need across your home.
Ready to Make Your Home More Secure?
Call now to book a free, no-obligation security assessment. Same-day upgrades available. No call-out fee. Available 24/7 across East and North London.
