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 look for the path of least resistance and move on quickly if a property looks difficult to get into.
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.
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. This is the number one entry method for residential burglaries in the UK.
Weak Window Locks
Ground floor and accessible upper windows are a common point of entry. Many older window handles offer almost no resistance to forced entry.
Back and Side Door Weaknesses
Rear doors are out of public view and often less well secured. Single-point deadbolts and lightweight door furniture are easily forced.
No Door Frame Reinforcement
The lock is only as strong as the frame it sits in. Weak frames can be kicked in even with a good lock fitted.
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 assess first, recommend second, install only what is genuinely needed. No guesswork and no pressure.
Security Assessment
We 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 to proceed with — no obligation and no pressure.
Professional Installation
All upgrades are installed on the same visit where possible. We carry the most common hardware on the van, so most jobs are done in a single call.
Insurance Documentation
We provide written confirmation of all work carried out with product ratings and British Standards references. Most insurers accept this as proof of upgrade.
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 door stays locked.
Window Locks
We fit key-operated sash locks, casement locks, and patio door locks to all accessible windows. One of the most cost-effective security improvements available.
Door Chains & Restrictors
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. Particularly effective on back and side doors where a multipoint lock is not fitted.
Door Reinforcement
We fit London bar reinforcement, frame repair kits, and security striker plates to protect against kick-in attacks. The lock is only as strong as the frame it is fitted to.
Smart Lock Upgrades
We supply and fit smart locks compatible with Yale and Ultion cylinders — keypad or app-based access without compromising security ratings. Ideal for rental properties.
How Secure Is Your Home Right Now?
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 — 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?
A mortice bolt or hinge bolt provides an independent second line of defence on rear doors.
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
Honest advice based on what your property actually needs. That is how we 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 we confirm the price before any work starts.
DBS Checked & Insured
Fully DBS checked and carrying public liability insurance. Our customers let us into their homes, and we take that trust seriously.
Rated Products Only
We only install products meeting 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. Most jobs are done within 90 minutes.
Insurance Documentation
Written record of all installed 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 is from 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 our back door only had a single bolt and no hinge bolts — something I had never 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 keeps my insurers happy and my tenants feel safe.
East & North London, Covered
Based in Chingford E4, we cover 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 565246Common Questions
Home Security FAQs
Straight answers to the questions we hear most often.
What is cylinder snapping and how does anti-snap protection work?
Cylinder snapping is a technique where a burglar inserts a tool into the Euro cylinder, applies leverage, and snaps it 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 only a sacrificial outer section breaks under attack — 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 TS007 3-star cylinders and BS3621 mortice locks as a condition of cover. Sub-standard locks may mean a claim is disputed after a break-in. Installing rated products and keeping documentation protects your cover and may result in a reduced premium. We provide written confirmation with British Standards references accepted by most major UK insurers.
How long does a full home security assessment take?
For a typical three-bedroom house, the assessment takes around 20–30 minutes. We check all doors and accessible windows, examine frames and locks, and identify vulnerabilities. Most standard upgrade packages are completed in the same visit — typically 60–90 minutes in total.
Do I need to be there for the assessment?
Yes — we need access to all entry points including the rear of the property. If you are a landlord, your tenant can be present. We work with managing agents and lettings staff, and can email the full assessment report after the visit.
What brands of anti-snap cylinder do you supply?
We carry TS007 3-star rated cylinders including Ultion, Mul-T-Lock, and Yale Superior. Ultion is our most recommended — it has an additional security clutch that disengages under attack and carries a £2,000 guarantee against snapping. We always measure the existing cylinder before recommending a replacement.
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, and address any vulnerabilities. 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.
Related Services
We Also Help With
A complete locksmith service for every security need across your home.
Emergency Lockouts
Locked out? Fast response day or night.
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Lock Changes
New tenancy, lost keys, or peace of mind.
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Lock Repairs
Stiff, faulty, or damaged locks fixed on-site.
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Lock Replacements
Full lock replacement with rated hardware.
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uPVC Door & Window Locks
Gearbox repair and multipoint servicing.
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General Enquiries
Not sure? Call us and we’ll advise freely.
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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.
