Have you heard of the term “lock snapping” and wonder what it means?

And, more importantly, could someone snap your home’s door lock?

Keep reading to learn about the “lock snapping technique” and what you can do to prevent it happening to you.

The easiest way to break into your property

Unfortunately, regardless of how many hooks or dead bolts you have on your door, your property could be broken into if you have a euro profile cylinder lock.

If the lock on your door looks like the lock in the image above, you may be at risk to a simple trick that will allow even the most inexperienced burglars to gain access to your property – quickly and inadvertently.

This method requires no specialist tools and can be mastered after just a few attempts.

First, some mechanism basics

Before explaining how lock snapping works, let’s go over the functioning of a Euro Cylinder lock.

A Euro Cylinder is usually located through the lock case and secured by a fixing screw through the face of the lock case (along the edge of the door). The key rotates a cam, which in turn drives the deadbolt in the lock case into a prepared keep in the door’s frame, thus securing the door in place. Or, in the case of UPVC doors, it will activate the mechanism inside the door, preventing the handle to go down.

Now, let’s dive the lock snapping method and what can you do to ensure it doesn’t happen to you. Read till the end to learn a few extra handy security tips!

What is lock snapping?

Lock snapping is a method of removing the Cylinder from the door, thus allowing access to the bolt case. Once the cylinder has been removed, all it takes is a simple screwdriver to unlock your door.

• Requires no specialist knowledge
• Requires no specialist tools
• Takes a burglar 15-20 seconds to snap
• Causes little commotion or noise

1. The lock snapping technique

The technique involves grabbing the front of the cylinder with a pair of vice grips or pliers and shaking the lock. All basic euro cylinder have a large flaw. This flaw is in the center of the euro cylinder where there is a hole for a screw. This hole makes the whole cylinder very vulnerable, enabling pressure to snap it apart.

Once this is snapped all the hooks and bolts won’t work any longer, as they are all operated by the euro cylinder lock.

2. How to tell if you have a Euro cylinder?

Euro profile locks are found in the majority of UPVC and composite doors installed in the last 15 years and operate in combination with a multipoint lock. If you have a uPVC/composite or wooden door, the chances are you have a euro cylinder lock.

To help you easily identify your type of lock, have a look at the pictures below and above.

The good news is that the solution is simple and straightforward. Upgrade your cylinder to one that is specifically designed to prevent lock snapping, ideally one that meets the TS007 3 Star standard.

3. Can my lock be snapped?

If your lock looks like the one in the above image, you are susceptible to lock snapping. These locks are very basic in their construction and will readily snap at the screw point. If your lock protrudes from the door any more than 3-5mm you are even more at risk, as the burglar won’t even have to remove the handles to snap the lock.

4. What lock should I fit to ensure lock snapping can’t happen to me?

Look for a lock similar in design to the one in the image below.