Front door - was my lock picked yesterday?
#1
Front door - was my lock picked yesterday?
Hi all
Returned home yesrterday after an afternoon on the lash to discover my front door key would not go into the lock. As it was dark and I could not get in to turn on the lights I decided to climb over my back wall. Naturally as I was intoxicated I thought I was Superman but came crashing down on top of the bins, banging my head against the wall and crazing several other limbs!
Managed to pick myself up, unlock the back gate to let the misses in and go through the back door.
After close inspection of the lock this morning it appears that the barrel had been a quarter-turned!
Now this is the 3rd time I have had this happen. I find it hard to believe that someone could attempt to pick my door lock when the house is overlooked by 2 others opposite, plus with passing traffic and the odd pedestrian...
But on the other hand is it possible to lock the door and whilst withdrawing the key, turn the lock?
I will heave a play later and see if I can get it to.
Nick
Returned home yesrterday after an afternoon on the lash to discover my front door key would not go into the lock. As it was dark and I could not get in to turn on the lights I decided to climb over my back wall. Naturally as I was intoxicated I thought I was Superman but came crashing down on top of the bins, banging my head against the wall and crazing several other limbs!
Managed to pick myself up, unlock the back gate to let the misses in and go through the back door.
After close inspection of the lock this morning it appears that the barrel had been a quarter-turned!
Now this is the 3rd time I have had this happen. I find it hard to believe that someone could attempt to pick my door lock when the house is overlooked by 2 others opposite, plus with passing traffic and the odd pedestrian...
But on the other hand is it possible to lock the door and whilst withdrawing the key, turn the lock?
I will heave a play later and see if I can get it to.
Nick
#2
Hello
Depending on the type of lock you have, if someone wanted to pick it they would. Most 'Yale' type locks can be opened in under 20 seconds with either a pickgun or hand-picking.
If you want to break into someones else, you generally just break a window and lock picking is visible and looks suspicious.
Steve
Depending on the type of lock you have, if someone wanted to pick it they would. Most 'Yale' type locks can be opened in under 20 seconds with either a pickgun or hand-picking.
If you want to break into someones else, you generally just break a window and lock picking is visible and looks suspicious.
Steve
#3
The front door is like an old-fashioned back door, pre-upvc days complete with mortice lock. It's on the big list of changes we are making to the house for next year.
Nick
Nick
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havent you lot ever heard of a bump key?
80 percent of door locks in under 10 seconds, i actually made one one day at work and tried it on my own front door and the workshop door, once i got the knack of it i could do the locks in a v easy 5 seconds, for obv reasons not going to say how but its exptremely worrying, with a bump key the more expensive the lock believe it or not the easier it is to open
80 percent of door locks in under 10 seconds, i actually made one one day at work and tried it on my own front door and the workshop door, once i got the knack of it i could do the locks in a v easy 5 seconds, for obv reasons not going to say how but its exptremely worrying, with a bump key the more expensive the lock believe it or not the easier it is to open
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It is. The reason that better locks are easier is because theyre built to closer tolerances and the internal parts have a better finish. This all makes it easier for the bump key method to work. The most secure lock is a cheap Chinese replacement from a local wholesaler (apart from one of the type that Mick has mentioned above)!
Simon
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You cant cut a properly hardened shackle Andy. Flat land-type (spring pin) locks can be picked like a Yale lock (as can a Euro Lock). Rubbish padlocks can be defeated with a bent piece of metal its true: and some far better quality locks can be defeated with a punch or a can of freezing spray. The ERA laminated padlocks are very secure, so long as you weld a zig-zag over the ends of the laminated sections. All that happens when you up the strength of the actual lock, is that you direct attention to the next, weaker, part in the chain, which is usually the hasp and staple. Bolt croppers that cant even mark the lock will usually cut through the hasp without too much trouble. You can make a shield of course and you can harden it all yourself, but you cant ever stop a man with a Portapack.
Simon
Simon
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No: you can only bump key flat land locks. It doesnt mean that someone hasnt tried to force the mortice lock though. Why I dont know, because you cant do that ona proper lock, even with a lump hammer, a coach bolt and a big f*ck-off spanner!
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Our front door lock started to fail and seemed to exhibit the problem you talk about. It was possible to get the out, but not be able to put it back in. The mechanism had become tired and things were loose. New lock sorted the problem.
#24
I only fitted the lock last year as the old one seized and ended up nearly breaking the key to get in!
As mentioned, a new door next year will solve all... A bit concerned about this bumping malarky though
Nick
As mentioned, a new door next year will solve all... A bit concerned about this bumping malarky though
Nick
#25
#27
Oh and if I was in bed I'd hear you doing that, I probably wouldn't hear it getting bumped.
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That was a big issue in Germany: particularly for the people who used better quality insurance approved Euro Locks (as theyre easier to open). Apparently there were many cases where peopel were burgled and then left high and dry by their insurers.
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