What is lock snapping?
July 29, 2025
Ever wondered what lock snapping was and if it was possible on your own home? Here we discuss how it's done and most importantly how to prevent it happening to you.
It doesn't matter how many hook or dead bolts you have on your door, the weak point is the euro profile cylinder lock. If the lock on your door looks like the lock in the image above you may be at risk to a simple trick that will allow burglars to gain access quickly and quietly.The method requires no specialist tools of any kind and can be learned after just a few attempts.
A Euro Cylinder is normally located through the lock case and secured by a fixing screw through the face of the lock case (along the edge of the door). The key rotates a cam which in turn drives the deadbolt in the lock case into a prepared keep in the frame of the door thus securing the door in place. Or in the case of UPVC doors, it will activate the mechanism inside the door and not allow the handle to go down.
In this post we will go through various subjects regarding the snapping lock method, ways to ensure it doesn't happen to you and a few extra security tips that may come in handy.
1. What is lock snapping
Lock snapping is a method of removing the Cylinder from the door thus allowing access to the bolt case. Without the cylinder all it takes is a simple screwdriver to unlock your door.
- Requires no specialist knowledge
- Requires no specialist tools
- Takes a burglar 15-20 seconds to Snap
- Causes little commotion or noise and won't be noticed
The method involves grabbing the front of the cylinder with a pair of vice grips or pliers and shaking the lock.All basic euro cylinder have a large flaw. This flaw is in the center of the euro cylinder where there is a hole for a screw. This hole makes the whole cylinder very vulnerable enabling pressure to snap it clear apart.
Once this is snapped all the hooks and bolts won't help, they are all operated by that euro cylinder.
2. How to tell if you have a Euro cylinder?
Euro profile locks are found in the majority of UPVC and composite doors installed in the last 15 years and operate in combination with a multipoint lock.If you have a uPVC/composite or wooden door, the chances are you have a euro cylinder lock, to help you easily identify your type of lock, please see the pictures below and above.To combat this threat simply upgrade your cylinder to one that is specifically designed to prevent this method of attack, ideally one that meets the TS007 3 Star standard.
3. Can your lock be snapped
If your lock looks like the one in the above image you are susceptible to lock snapping. These locks are very simple and basic in their construction and will readily snap at the screw point. If your lock protrudes from the door any more than 3-5mm you are even more at risk, the burglar won't even have to remove the handles to snap the lock.
4. What lock should I fit to ensure lock snapping can't happen to me?
In short - a lock similar in design to the one in the image below.
These locks provide a basic form of defense. They ensure the lock snaps but they are engineered to snap in the right place and a long way in front of the vulnerable central section that gives access to the multi-point-lock or dead lock. Due to the small size and shape that the cylinder has to squeeze into it would not be possible to make a cylinder strong enough to withstand the enormous applied pressure of the mole grips whilst still being affordable.
The concept is that when the burglar grabs the end of the cylinder just the tip snaps off leaving more metal in front of the central target area.
If you happen to have a basic cylinder we suggest you contact a locksmithin London for advice or a lock change.
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