Locksmith London Blog

London Crime Rate - Burglary Statistics

It helps to know how 'at risk' you may be from burglary so you can take preventative measures such as adding extra locks to doors and windows, or installing a burglar alarm.

If you live in London and would like to know how at risk your area is from burglary and other crimes, click on the following link to get up to date information direct from the Metropolitan Police: London Crime Rate

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:28:00 +0000

What to do after a Burglary

Burglary normally involves theft, but can also be entry by force as well as other means. Therefore, burglary can be defined as entry by someone who has no legal authority to be on the premises.

Being a burglary victim is always a traumatic experience, but knowing what to do when it happens can help to minimise the upset.

Before Entering

If you notice that your home has been burgled before entering, do not go in.

The perpetrator might still be in your home and could be dangerous. Instead, contact the Police from a Neighbours house, or use your mobile phone at a safe distance and wait for assistance. Even if you are certain that no one is in your home, by entering you run the risk of compromising the integrity of the crime scene; even touching doors or knobs, you diminish forensic evidence that is critical in solving the crime. You should only touch items when instructed by the investigating officers. Also inform them if you keep any type of weapons in your home, so they can be prepared in the event the perpetrator is still inside.

Inside:

The police should search the property to determine how the crime occurred and what is missing. Assist them by offering detailed information about your posessions, including model, make and serial numbers, as well as any other documentation of your stolen property, such as videotapes, photographs and sales receipts. Walk through your home, and list every item that you believe to be missing. Not only is this information important for the officers' investigation, but your insurance company will also require it to process any claim you might make.

Who??

Ask yourself a few questions. Though you may not like to think about it, sometimes our homes are burglarized by acquaintances. List all those people who knew you were away from home, or recall those you recently hired to do some repairs or any other service on your premises, and inform the Police of this. You might have seen a strange car or person in the neighborhood recently; mention this to the investigating officer as well.

Most burglaries are random or opportunist, but if you have been deliberately targeted, you may have useful information without realising it.

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:15:00 +0000

Emergency Locksmith London - How to find a locksmith in London in an emergency!

Picture the following scenario: You have returned home late from watching a performance in Londons West End, it's raining and you reach into your pocket for your door keys only to find they are not there. Frantically you search for them but soon come to the realisation you have lost them and there is no way into your house.

What do you do?

It is always prudent to be prepared for any emergency, and the simplest way to prepare for this situation is to make sure you have the number of an emergency london locksmith in your mobile phone.

What differentiates a normal locksmith from an emergency locksmith? Well, an emergency locksmith can usually be with you within the hour and is on call 24/7. Just what you need if you are standing in the pouring rain in the small hours of the morning unable to get into your home!

In fact, as you are reading this post why not put this number in your phone right now?

0333 566 0070

It is the number for a 24 hour emergency locksmith service in London, and the 03 number prefix means you won't be paying a fortune to call it (unlike calling an 0800 number from a mobile). Put it in your phone now, you never know when it might come in handy!

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 11:06:00 +0000

Locksmith - The Art of Defeating Locks

Locksmith - this name usually rings a bell only when there is a key lost somewhere! An average human's security needs are met by locking away their precious things. Locks and Keys have been an integral part of a human's life for ages and at many points in time, the keys to locks have been lost, misplaced, changed, or tampered with. Then, how does one open a key-less lock? This is where a Locksmith comes in.

Locksmithing has transitioned from an art to a science, and into being a full time business for many individuals and agencies across the world. In the event of being locked out of homes, cars, forgetting the combination of your safe, and so forth, a certified locksmith can come to the rescue. A car locksmith provides relief from the lost, broken, or defective car keys; and an emergency locksmith ensures wherever there is a problem, he is there to resolve it in no time!

However, in the recent time, apart from providing the standard services of unlocking, a locksmith also offers a number of other specialized services to businesses and corporations. These certified technicians can also assist in ensuring the security of homes and businesses by performing a security audit and suggesting a re-keying service.

It not only provides a relief from lost keys, but also establishes and installs systems which provide for the safety and security of homes and businesses alike. This service also extends to vehicles, which are a speciality with some agencies and individuals. It is, however, essential to understand that when a lock-out happens, or a lock re-key service is required, certified locksmiths should be called upon.

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 08:54:00 +0000

London Locksmith - How to find a safe, reliable locksmith London

It has been said that in London you are never more than three yards away from a lock. That being the case, the chances of being on the wrong side of a lock in London without a key is pretty high. Some figures suggest this happens around 300 times per day in the Capital, so what should you do if it happens to you?

First, don't panic. While being locked out can cause a fair amount of anxiety and frustration, a professional locksmith shouldn't have any problem getting you back into your premises. In most instances a locksmith can get the job done within a matter of minutes, although most will charge a minimum hourly charge for their services.

Depending on the nature of door and lock, a typical london locksmith may be able to open the door with specialist tools leaving the lock intact, or alternatively may have to drill the lock out and replace with a new one complete with a set of keys. Either way you are sure to get back into your home.

It is worth putting a local London locksmiths phone number in your mobile just in case you ever find yourself locked out. To find a contact number for a locksmith in your part of London, visit Locksmith London.

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Key snapped off in lock!

Key Snapped off in Lock

Don't panic !! It is actually quite a common thing to snap a "rim cylinder" (Yale -type) front door key clean off inside a lock.

The most common reasons for this happening are fractures in the metal of the key developing over time, resulting eventually in a complete break, or alternatively, excess force being used to turn the key, or a lock being stiff and resisting attempts to turn it.

Whatever the causes, the undesireable result is that your key is broken off inside the lock and it is imposssible for the average person to open the door, or get the broken piece out.

The good news is that a trained Locksmith can actually extract the broken key piece quite easily, using a specialised hook took and should then be able to pick the lock if necessary to gain entry for you.

The worst case scenario would be if the broken key cannot be extracted and the lock must be drilled to open it - usually destroying the lock in the process. This would then incur the cost of fitting a replacement lock, although (depending on the scenario) the whole job should take no more than about an hour.

If you would like to discuss any aspects of this process, or request immediate help from an expert, simply call: 0800 0612 677 or click here if you need a locksmith.

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 13:09:00 +0000

Need a locksmith?

There are various reasons that you might need a locksmith. The obvious one is finding yourself locked out of your home, but there are other situations where it might be worth contacing your local locksmith.

Upgrading Locks

Do you know if your door and window locks are insurance approved? If they're not then you may find your insurance policy is invalid. It may be worth contacting your local locksmith to check your locks and ask them to upgrade them for you if necessary. It's usually possible to get a discount if multiple locks are changed at the same time.

Additional Home Security

If you have been the victim of a burglary, it's likely that home security was the only thing on your mind in the days that followed. You may have even installed a burglar alarm and additional door and window security as a deterent from it happening again. Unfortunately once the burglar has struck it's too late. Don't wait for the worst to happen, contact your local locksmith and ask them to secure your home professionally.

Accident Prevention

If you have children then upper floor windows must be secured to prevent potential accidents. It is far too easy in the summer months for children to fall out of open windows, so make sure they are secured properly. A locksmith can install devices which prevent a window from opening fully, allowing the window to be opened enough for air to flow but preventing it from being opened wide enough to fall out of.

If you need a locksmith please call 0800 0612 677.

Fri, 21 May 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Local Locksmith

How do I find a good local Locksmith? Here is some free advice:

A local Locksmith is likely to give a good service to his customers, as he has a reputation to think of and getting repeat customers, is how a small business grows.

If he also lives near enough for you to knock on his door and complain about his work, it is always a great incentive for the Locksmith to get the job right first time!

However, larger companies with an excellent brand image will be similarly keen to give you good service, as they also have their reputation to think of and as they are larger and more visible, are easier to criticise.

A larger company will also have more resources and staff to solve your problem more quickly and efficiently and the common misconception that "bigger companies charge more..." is regularly proved wrong, as so-called "economies of scale"(better buying power) can also mean cheaper prices for you - the customer.

Whether you choose a local one-man business, or a larger company, make sure that they can provide you with references from previous satisfied customers if required and that you have a clear quote you are happy with before any work is undertaken for you.

If they have a website, examine this first for professional memberships or accreditations which also add credibility and help reassure potential customers.

For quality Locksmith services, try here: www.need-a-locksmith.com
or call 24 hours: 0800 0612 677

Thu, 20 May 2010 09:00:00 +0000

Locksmith London

If you are looking for a locksmith in London, then go to

www.locksmith-london.biz

The website allows you to perform a postcode search within the capital to find a 24 hour locksmith in London. Very useful if you find yourself locked out!

Wed, 19 May 2010 11:38:00 +0000

Avoid "Rogue" Locksmiths

POLICE APPROVED LOCKSMITHS ?

Avoid becoming a statistic - the UK unfortunately has a number of so-called locksmiths and rogue traders, who like to claim that they are "Police approved".

Be warned that there is NO SUCH approval given by the police authorities. They may advise a customer against certain business practices but cannot officially "approve" any locksmith company. Any locksmiths that complete work directly for police authorities are normally contracted through a tender process.

One recommended way to avoid "Locksmiths" with a hidden past, is to insist upon viewing their Criminal Records Bureau check. This document or card will prove that the individual in question does not have a criminal record.
Of course, this does not guarantee that they will give you a good deal but it should provide some peace of mind.

Chief Executive of the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Steve Long states:
“Since 2002, the CRB has helped many thousands of organisations detect from recruiting or licensing unsuitable people. In the past year, CRB checks stopped around 18,000 unsuitable people from getting into positions of trust.

It may surprise you to learn that there are currently no official Locksmith qualifications in the UK! This means that technically, a Locksmith can never claim to be "qualified".

A good reputation is the best way to judge a Locksmith and you should always look for professional and courteous treatment, coupled with a proven track record.

A tradesman with a good reputation to protect, will give you the best service every time. A "Rogue" trader with a history to hide, will rarely keep their promises and will happily overcharge you for shoddy workmanship.

For more FREE Locksmith advice, call 0800 0612 677

Wed, 12 May 2010 15:31:00 +0000

How much does a Locksmith cost?

Many homeowners who have never called out a Locksmith before, worry about how much a service like this will cost.

Firstly, it is important to recognise that a good quality Locksmith is a highly trained and experienced tradesperson and therefore, like a plumber or electrician, will charge a fee that is in line with that expertise.

5-minute entry?

Ironically, the aim of an ethical and efficient Locksmith, is to gain entry to your premises as quickly as possible. If the Locksmith manages to gain entry within 5 minutes for instance, it would be commercially impossible for him to charge you for just 5 minutes of his time and the industry typically will make a minimum charge of one full hour.

Overheads

Amongst his many business expenses such as public liability insurance, fuel, materials costs and tools, the Locksmith also has to travel to your premises and then back again and you will not be normally charged for this.

Having said all this, the professional services of a fully trained and experienced Locksmith can start from as little as £40 + Vat, depending on your circumstances. OAP's for instance are quite often eligible for a 10% discount on normal hourly rates.

If you would like to speak to a friendly advisor about your personal needs, call 0800 0612 677 or click here and fill out our online enquiry form for a free, no obligation quote.

Thu, 06 May 2010 10:03:00 +0000