A Secure Home in Stockport
The Essential Guide to Anti-Snap Multipoint Lock Upgrades
For
many Stockport residents, uPVC or composite doors with modern
multipoint locking systems offer a reassuring sense of security. These
systems bolt the door into the frame at multiple points, making them
very difficult to force open. However, this robust defence is only as
strong as its weakest point: the cylinder lock that controls the
mechanism.
Burglars
have identified and widely exploited a vulnerability known as "lock
snapping," a quick and simple forced entry technique that requires
minimal skill or specialist tools. This method is a significant concern
across Greater Manchester, with the police actively advising residents
on how to protect their homes.
The
solution is a straightforward, affordable, and highly effective
upgrade: installing anti-snap lock cylinders that are specifically
designed to defeat this attack method.
The Lock Snapping Threat
A
standard Euro cylinder lock, commonly found in uPVC and composite doors
installed over the last 15 years, has a weak point at the fixing screw
hole. If the cylinder protrudes by more than 3mm from the handle, a
burglar can get a grip with basic tools, apply force, and snap the lock
in two. Once the outer part is removed, the internal mechanism is
exposed and can be easily manipulated to open all the door's locking
points. The entire process can take seconds, often silently.
How Anti-Snap Locks Provide Real Security
Anti-snap
locks, also known as snap-safe or high-security cylinders (like the
Ultion brand widely used in Stockport), employ clever engineering to
thwart this technique.
Their primary defence is a sacrificial snap line
or section at the external end of the cylinder. When force is applied,
the lock is designed to snap only at this specific, predetermined point.
Crucially, the remaining core mechanism stays intact and secure within
the door, preventing the intruder from accessing or manipulating the
internal workings of the multipoint lock. The burglar is left with
little option but to abandon their attempt.
Beyond this, high-quality anti-snap locks incorporate additional layers of defence:
- Reinforced core: Often made from hardened materials like molybdenum, providing extreme durability.
- Anti-drill pins and plates: Hardened steel inserts resist drilling attempts.
- Anti-pick and anti-bump pins: Complex internal pin configurations make the lock extremely difficult for an intruder to pick or "bump" open.
- "LockDown Mode": Some advanced locks, such as the Ultion, feature a hidden firing pin that activates an internal lock when an attack is detected, securing the central cam and stopping entry entirely.
The Gold Standard: TS007 and SS312 Ratings
- TS007 3-Star Rating: A cylinder with this rating offers the highest level of security as a standalone product, having been rigorously tested against all known attack methods.
- Sold Secure SS312 Diamond Standard: Developed specifically to counter lock snapping, this is a highly regarded test standard set by the Master Locksmiths Association.
Both standards are recommended by the police as effective security upgrades.
A Simple, Professional Upgrade
Upgrading
to anti-snap locks is a cost-effective and swift process. A qualified,
reputable locksmith can typically inspect your current locks, recommend
suitable high-security replacements, and install them within minutes.
Professional
installation is crucial; even the best lock can be vulnerable if fitted
incorrectly, such as protruding too far from the door handle.
By
investing in an anti-snap cylinder upgrade, Stockport homeowners can
significantly enhance their property's security, provide a strong
deterrent to opportunistic burglars, and gain valuable peace of mind
that their home and family are better protected.
Cusworth Master Locksmiths have been upgrading and repairing locks in Stockport since 2007
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