You don't need a smart alarm system and six cameras to make your home a lot more secure. Most residential burglaries are opportunistic — the burglar is looking for the easiest target on the street, not your house specifically. Make your home look like more effort than the next one and they'll move on.
Here's what actually makes a difference, in order of impact and cost.
Upgrade to BS 3621 Locks
Your insurer likely requires this already — and won't pay out if they don't. A 5-lever mortice deadlock front and back is the foundation of genuinely secure locks.
Anti-Snap Cylinder for uPVC Doors
A cheap standard euro cylinder can be snapped in under 30 seconds. A TS007 3-star anti-snap cylinder is a simple, affordable swap that closes that vulnerability completely.
Secure Your Back Gate
Most break-ins happen via the rear. A heavy-duty padlock on the back gate is inexpensive and removes the easy route that most opportunists are looking for.
Fit Door Chains & Viewers
Never open the front door blind. A door chain costs £5–15 and gives you the option to partially open without being pushed in. A viewer lets you see who's there before you touch the handle.
Install a Key Safe
A quality wall-mounted key safe means a trusted person can always get in if needed — and massively reduces the chance of an expensive lockout. Look for ones with a BS kite mark.
Outdoor Lighting with PIR
Motion-activated lights are one of the most effective cheap deterrents going. Being lit up unexpectedly is something most opportunists actively avoid. Cover all sides of the house.
Window Locks on All Ground Floor Windows
Windows are a very common entry point. Fit key-operated locks to all accessible ones. Keep the keys somewhere accessible for you — just not where they're visible from outside.
Door Frame Reinforcement
Your lock is only as strong as the frame it's bolted to. Door frame reinforcement kits add steel to the weak spots around the latch, deadbolt, and hinges — and they're cheap.
Consider a Monitored Alarm
A visible alarm bell box deters most opportunists before they even try. A monitored system that alerts a response centre adds another layer — and can make your insurance cheaper too.
The Lock Standard That Matters Most: BS 3621
One thing worth taking away from this: check whether your locks conform to BS 3621. That's the British Standard for external door locks, and most home insurance policies require it. If you've been burgled through a sub-standard lock, your insurer may refuse to pay out.
Not sure if yours meet it? Give us a ring. As your local locksmith in Ashton-in-Makerfield, we can take a look and give you an honest assessment — no unnecessary upsell, just straight advice.
Anti-Snap Cylinders — A Specific Warning for Wigan Homes
Cylinder snapping is one of the most common break-in methods used on uPVC-doored homes across the North West. It takes under 30 seconds with a basic tool from any hardware shop, and a standard cheap euro cylinder offers virtually no resistance.
We see this a lot in the Wigan area — it's a known local issue. If your front or back door has a euro cylinder (the oval-shaped lock fitted to most uPVC and composite doors), it's worth swapping it for an anti-snap TS007 3-star cylinder. We supply and fit these as part of our locksmith service in Ashton-in-Makerfield.
While You're Thinking About Security
If you don't have a spare key cut yet, now is a good time to sort it. A spare key left with a trusted neighbour is one of the simplest security measures there is — and our key cutting service in Ashton starts from £3. If you've ever been locked out and want to know how to handle it properly next time, our lockout step-by-step guide walks through every option in the right order. Want to know what lock upgrades actually cost? Our UK locksmith pricing guide covers lock replacement, cylinder upgrades, and key cutting — all with honest, transparent figures.