Anti-Snap Lock Upgrade in Brixton

How does lock snapping work?

A standard euro cylinder has a weak point in the middle, where the fixing screw passes through. A burglar grips the part of the cylinder that sticks out past the handle and snaps it at that weak point. Once the outer half is gone, the mechanism can be turned with a simple tool.

The attack is quiet and fast, which is why it is so common. It leaves little mess, and from the street nothing looks wrong until the door is already open.

What makes a cylinder anti-snap?

Anti-snap cylinders have a sacrificial section near the front. If someone tries to snap the lock, it breaks at that section, and the break leaves the inner part of the cylinder — the part that operates the bolt — still in place and still locked.

Cylinders are rated under TS007: one-star cylinders resist snapping on their own, and three-star cylinders resist snapping, picking, drilling and bumping. A three-star cylinder is the strongest rating available for a euro cylinder.

Verdict: a 1-star cylinder with a 2-star handle and a 3-star cylinder both reach the TS007 3-star standard as a set. The difference is cost and simplicity — not security, if both are fitted correctly.

Which doors need upgrading?

Front and back doors come first, because they are the doors a burglar can reach. Patio and French doors with euro cylinders are worth upgrading too, especially at the rear of the house where an attack is less visible. Most uPVC doors use euro cylinders, so the upgrade fits them directly.

The cylinder must sit flush with the handle — no more than a couple of millimetres proud. A cylinder that sticks out is easy to grip, however good its rating. We measure and fit the right size for your door.

Is an anti-snap upgrade worth it?

For most Brixton front doors, yes. Lock snapping is the most common way burglars open a uPVC or composite door, and an anti-snap cylinder closes that way in. The upgrade is quick, it is done in one visit, and it costs far less than dealing with a break-in afterwards.

It is less urgent on a door that already has a strong mortice lock, or on a door nobody can reach without being seen. We will tell you honestly whether your door needs it — after a burglary, the answer is usually yes.

How fitting works

Fitting an anti-snap cylinder is usually done as part of a lock change. We measure the door, remove the old cylinder, and fit the new one so it sits flush with the handle — no more than a couple of millimetres proud, so there is nothing to grip.

The lock is tested with you from both sides, and you get fresh keys before we leave. The whole job usually takes well under an hour, and the old cylinder is left with you or taken away for disposal.

SS312 Diamond and Sold Secure

TS007 is not the only rating you will see. Sold Secure tests locks against attack and awards Diamond ratings to the strongest cylinders. Secured by Design is the police-backed initiative that lists products meeting its security standards.

A Diamond-rated cylinder is a step above a 3-star one, and it is worth considering for a front door that faces the street. For most homes, a 3-star cylinder is enough — we will explain the difference and let you choose.

Anti-snap and your insurance

Many home insurers now ask for TS007-rated cylinders or British Standard locks, and some policies require them. If your insurer has asked for a particular rating, tell us when you call and we will fit cylinders that meet it.

Keep the receipt and the packaging. Insurers sometimes ask for proof of the rating, and the star rating is printed on the cylinder and the box.