"Lock snapping" sounds like a niche burglar's technique. It isn't. It's a method any opportunist with mole grips can learn from YouTube in 10 minutes, and it works on the majority of UK uPVC and composite doors fitted before about 2013. A 2023 UK Crime Report found lock snapping accounted for 35% of forced-entry burglaries in some London boroughs; West Yorkshire Police reported 25% of break-ins they investigated used the method. The fix — an anti-snap cylinder upgrade — costs £100-£180 fitted in Cornwall and takes 20 minutes. This guide explains the standards (TS007, Sold Secure Diamond), the brands worth buying, and how to make sure you're getting the real thing.
What lock snapping is
The euro cylinder (the cylindrical brass bit you put your key in) sticks out a few millimetres from the door faceplate. A burglar grips the protruding end with mole grips, levers down hard, and the cylinder snaps cleanly at its mid-point. The broken outer half falls away exposing the locking cam, which the burglar then turns with a screwdriver. Total time: 15-30 seconds. No noise beyond the initial snap.
The vulnerability was identified around 2010. Since 2011, two UK standards have specifically targeted it: the Door & Hardware Federation's TS007 and Sold Secure's SS312 Diamond. Both involve cylinders engineered with a "sacrificial" front section that breaks off uselessly when attacked, leaving the locking mechanism intact and unreachable.
The standards explained
TS007 3-star
TS007 is the British standard for euro cylinders. Three star ratings:
- TS007 1-star: Anti-pick and anti-bump protection. Not enough alone.
- TS007 2-star: Star rating is for the door handle, not the cylinder. Combines with a 1-star cylinder for 3-star total protection.
- TS007 3-star: Full anti-snap, anti-pick, anti-bump, anti-drill in the cylinder alone. The simplest "fit and forget" option.
Sold Secure SS312 Diamond
Sold Secure (an independent UK testing body endorsed by the Master Locksmiths Association) certifies cylinders that pass attack tests above and beyond TS007. The Diamond rating is the highest. Diamond cylinders are "Secured by Design" approved — recommended by UK police.
Which one matters?
For maximum security: get a cylinder with both TS007 3-star AND Sold Secure SS312 Diamond. Several brands (Avocet ABS, Brisant Ultion, Yale Platinum 3-star) carry both. Insurance-wise, TS007 3-star alone is usually enough — but the Diamond accreditation costs only a few pounds more and is the police-recommended standard.
Brands worth buying (in Cornwall)
Avocet ABS (£40-£70 + fitting)
The original anti-snap. TS007 3-star, Sold Secure Diamond. Mid-range price, excellent reputation, available through most UK locksmiths.
Brisant Ultion (£45-£80 + fitting)
TS007 3-star, Sold Secure Diamond. Includes a "secondary lockdown" mechanism that engages if the cylinder is attacked. £1,000 burglary guarantee from Brisant.
Yale Platinum 3-Star (£35-£60 + fitting)
TS007 3-star, Sold Secure Diamond. Slightly cheaper, widely stocked, good reputation.
ERA Fortress (£25-£50 + fitting)
TS007 3-star (no Diamond accreditation). Budget option. Genuine anti-snap protection but a step below the top three.
What it costs fitted in Cornwall
| Cylinder | Part | Fitting | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yale Platinum 3-star | £35-£60 | £50-£90 | £85 – £150 |
| Avocet ABS 3-star | £40-£70 | £50-£90 | £90 – £160 |
| Brisant Ultion 3-star | £45-£80 | £50-£90 | £95 – £170 |
| ERA Fortress 3-star (budget) | £25-£50 | £50-£90 | £75 – £140 |
Fitting is straightforward — 15-25 minutes per cylinder. If you have multiple external doors, ask for a multi-cylinder discount (typical: £20-£40 off the second and subsequent cylinders).
How to tell what you currently have
Look at the side of your cylinder (the brass cylindrical bit on either side of the door, around the keyhole). You're looking for a small logo with one, two, or three star symbols:
- No stars / blank cylinder: Standard non-rated cylinder. Vulnerable to snapping. Upgrade strongly recommended.
- 1 star: Anti-pick and anti-bump but not anti-snap. Upgrade recommended unless you also have a 2-star security handle.
- 3 stars: You're already protected. No upgrade needed (unless the cylinder is 10+ years old and you want a refresh).
Avoiding fake "anti-snap" cylinders
Search Amazon or eBay for "anti-snap cylinder" and you'll find £8 imports claiming the feature without any genuine certification. Common warning signs:
- No TS007 logo or star ratings stamped on the cylinder body
- No Sold Secure Diamond mark
- "Anti-snap" only in the product description, never on the physical product
- Price below £20 (genuine 3-star cylinders cost £25+ trade)
Insist on seeing the stamped certification before fitting — or ask the locksmith to show you the box.
Insurance angle
Most UK home insurance policies require euro cylinders meeting TS007 3-star or 1-star cylinder + 2-star handle equivalent on UPVC and composite external doors. If your locks don't comply and you're burgled via the cylinder, the insurer may refuse the claim. See our BS3621 insurance guide for the full picture.
Want to upgrade to a proper anti-snap cylinder? Submit your postcode and we'll match you with a Cornwall locksmith who'll fit a TS007 3-star + Sold Secure Diamond cylinder with itemised pricing.
Frequently asked questions
How common is lock snapping in the UK?
National average around 8% of burglaries (down from 20%+ before TS007 existed). But regional variation is huge — up to 35% in some London boroughs and 25% in West Yorkshire (where the technique originated). Cornwall data isn't published separately, but rural and coastal properties are increasingly targeted.
What's the difference between TS007 3-star and Sold Secure Diamond?
TS007 is the British testing standard from the Door & Hardware Federation. SS312 Diamond is an independent testing standard from Sold Secure, endorsed by the Master Locksmiths Association and "Secured by Design" (police-recommended). The best cylinders carry both.
Can I fit an anti-snap cylinder myself?
Technically yes — it's a single screw, then pull the old cylinder out and slide the new one in. The tricky bit is sizing: the cylinder must match your door thickness, and an over-long cylinder protrudes and is itself snappable. A locksmith measures and supplies correctly the first time.
Will an anti-snap cylinder stop all burglary methods?
No — it specifically defeats lock snapping. It doesn't stop burglars who kick the door, smash the glass, or attack the multipoint mechanism. But snapping is the most common UK forced-entry method, so it eliminates the biggest single threat.
How long does an anti-snap cylinder last?
Mechanically 15-25 years. Standards evolve though — the current best practice is TS007 3-star + Sold Secure Diamond; if your cylinder was upgraded pre-2015 it may only be 1-star. Check the star markings on the cylinder body.