A burglary can leave a property feeling exposed long after the police have left. Whether the intruder forced the door, damaged a window or simply took a set of keys, the priority is to make the building safe again. In most cases, you should replace locks after burglary, but changing a cylinder alone is not always enough. The door, frame, hinges and locking mechanism may also need attention.
The right response is practical and prompt: preserve evidence first, secure the property, then deal with the underlying weakness that allowed entry. A properly repaired and re-secured home or business gives you back control without paying for work that is not needed.
What to do before changing locks
If the burglary has just happened, call the police and avoid touching damaged doors, windows, handles or items the intruder may have handled until you have been advised it is safe to do so. Take clear photographs of the damage once evidence has been recorded. They can help with an insurance claim and make it easier for a locksmith to understand what has failed.
If the property cannot be locked or closed securely, arrange urgent boarding-up or temporary securing work. A ground-floor window, rear door or damaged frame should not be left vulnerable overnight while you wait for an insurer or a standard appointment.
Let your insurer know about the incident as soon as possible. They may ask for a crime reference number, photographs and an itemised invoice for emergency repairs. Do not delay essential security work while waiting for an assessor, but keep all paperwork and, where practical, retain damaged parts until your insurer says otherwise.
When should you replace locks after burglary?
You should change the relevant locks straight away when keys have been stolen, lost during the incident or may have been copied. This applies even if there is no obvious damage. A keyring containing an address, paperwork identifying the property, or access fobs can turn a one-off burglary into a repeat risk.
Replacement is also sensible where a lock has been snapped, drilled, forced, glued, picked or badly damaged during an attempted break-in. A lock may still turn after an attack, but that does not mean it remains reliable or secure.
There are occasions where a full lock replacement is not the answer. On many uPVC and composite doors, the visible lock cylinder is only one part of the system. If the handle is loose, the door has dropped, hooks or rollers no longer engage, or the key will not turn smoothly, the multi-point locking mechanism or gearbox may be damaged. Fitting a new cylinder without repairing the mechanism can leave the door difficult to lock and does not address the root cause.
A trusted local locksmith should inspect the complete door rather than simply sell the most expensive replacement. Sometimes a repair, realignment and security upgrade will provide the proper outcome. In other cases, a new mechanism or lock is essential.
Check every point of access, not just the damaged door
Burglars do not always enter through the place that looks most damaged. They may have tried several doors and windows, found an insecure side gate, or taken keys that work elsewhere in the property. Once the immediate area is secure, inspect all external access points.
Pay particular attention to front and back doors, patio doors, ground-floor windows, garages, sheds, communal entrances and gates. Check that each door closes cleanly, the handle lifts or operates as intended, and the lock engages without excessive force. A door that needs to be pushed, pulled or lifted to lock is often misaligned. That strain can eventually damage the lockcase or multi-point mechanism.
For businesses, also consider staff entrances, stock rooms, shutters, office doors and any shared areas. If keys are unaccounted for, changing only one lock may leave a weak link. A planned rekey or master-key solution can be more practical than issuing multiple new keys with no control over old copies.
Choose an upgrade that addresses the method of entry
The best replacement depends on how access was gained and the type of door you have. A burglary is a useful, if unwelcome, opportunity to correct a known weakness rather than replace like for like.
Anti-snap cylinders for vulnerable euro locks
Many uPVC, composite and aluminium doors use euro profile cylinders. Older or basic cylinders can be vulnerable to snapping when they protrude beyond the handle. An anti-snap cylinder is designed to sacrifice its outer section under attack while protecting the internal locking function.
Correct fitting matters as much as the cylinder itself. It should sit flush with, or suitably protected by, the door furniture. A quality anti-snap lock paired with secure handles provides far better protection than a poorly sized cylinder fitted in isolation.
Repairing uPVC door mechanisms
A uPVC door that has been forced may have a damaged gearbox, bent locking strip, worn keeps or a dropped hinge side. These faults can make a secure lock feel unreliable because the bolts, hooks and rollers cannot engage properly.
In many cases, the door does not need replacing. A locksmith can repair or replace the failed multi-point mechanism, realign the door and check that the locking points meet their keeps correctly. This restores everyday operation and helps prevent premature failure of the new lock.
Windows, handles and physical protection
A broken window lock or handle should be repaired, but check the window itself as well. Damaged hinges, failed restrictors and loose frames can undermine an otherwise sound lock. On doors, reinforced handles, hinge bolts, security keeps and appropriate letterbox protection may be worthwhile depending on the construction and the attack method.
Do not assume every upgrade is necessary. The aim is proportionate security: a sensible level of protection for the property, its location and the value of what is being protected.
Tenants, landlords and managed properties
If you rent your home, inform your landlord or letting agent immediately, especially where the structure, shared entrance or communal security has been damaged. In an emergency, you still need the property made safe. Make a note of who authorised the work and keep photographs and invoices.
Landlords and managing agents should act quickly where a tenant’s keys have been stolen or a vacant property has been entered. Rekeying or replacing locks on the affected entrances protects the current occupant and reduces the risk of unauthorised return. It is also worth recording who holds keys after the work is complete, particularly where contractors, former tenants or multiple staff members have had access.
Avoid quick fixes that create another problem
After a burglary, it is understandable to want the first available solution. However, taped-up frames, temporary padlocks on unsuitable doors and mismatched locks can create fresh security or fire-safety issues. A door still needs to open safely from inside, close correctly and resist further forced entry.
Be cautious about remote quotations that promise a very low starting price without asking about the door type, damage or lock. Ask what is included, whether there is a call-out charge, whether parts are additional, and whether the locksmith will assess and repair the mechanism if necessary. Clear pricing and an explanation of the work help you make a decision when you are under pressure.
A DBS-checked, insured local locksmith can normally provide emergency re-securing, then explain which repairs or upgrades are genuinely needed. South Gloucestershire Locksmith & Security works directly with householders, landlords and businesses across Bristol and South Gloucestershire, rather than routing urgent jobs through a national call centre.
A safer property should still be easy to live with
Security works best when it is used properly every day. Once repairs are complete, test every key, make sure all occupants know how the door locks, and keep spare keys under control rather than hidden outside. If lost or stolen keys were involved, consider changing alarm codes, reviewing access fobs and updating any keypad codes as well.
The most helpful next step after a burglary is not simply fitting a new lock. It is making sure every affected entrance closes, locks and protects the property as it should – so you can get back to feeling at home there.