Yes, if a burglar forced a door or lock, or your keys were lost or stolen. Gloucestershire Police advice is to repair or replace the locks in those cases, and Victim Support says that if your house keys have been stolen it is a good idea to get your locks changed, especially if the thief knows where you live. Before anyone touches the lock, tell the police and your insurer.
Do these first, in this order
- Report it to the police and get a crime reference number. Victim Support says you need one to make a home insurance claim. If the burglary is happening now, call 999. For the wider picture, see our UK burglary statistics.
- Do not tidy up or let anyone use the door the burglar used. Advice on the police service's askthe.police.uk site is that if entry was made through a door, you should try not to let anyone, including the police, enter through it, and not to clean up before the police arrive, so forensic evidence is not lost. Ask the police when they have finished before anyone repairs or replaces anything.
- Phone your insurer. Tell them what happened, give them the crime reference number and ask what they will cover and who they want to do the work. Gloucestershire Police advice says an insurer should be able to arrange new locks for you.
- Secure the property. If the door cannot be locked, get it secured as soon as possible. Keep every receipt, because you may be able to claim the cost back.
Why change the lock when the door still works
If keys were lost or stolen, the old lock still lets in anyone holding a copy. Changing the cylinder removes that risk. If the burglar broke in by force, the lock may be weakened even if it looks fine, and a locksmith can tell you what needs replacing.
What standard to ask for
Ask the locksmith to tell you the standard of the lock they are fitting, and look for the marking yourself.
- Wooden doors: BS 3621 is the British Standard for thief resistant locks, and covers mortice and rim locks such as night latches. The Master Locksmiths Association says to look for the Kitemark and the standard number stamped on the faceplate, visible when the door is open.
- uPVC and composite doors: these usually have a euro cylinder. West Yorkshire Police advice names two national standards for cylinders: TS 007 (1 star or 3 star) and Sold Secure Diamond (SS312). It recommends 3 stars as the minimum if you are upgrading, which is a 3 star cylinder on its own, or a 1 star cylinder with a 2 star security handle. Sold Secure states that its Diamond grade is equivalent to TS 007 3 star.
If a cylinder carries neither mark, ask the locksmith what it has been tested to. The cylinder must also be measured so it does not stick out past the handle, because West Yorkshire Police advise that cylinders should not be left protruding from the door unit or handle. A good locksmith will measure it.
What insurers require: check your own policy
Some insurers require door locks that meet BS 3621, and others do not have that exact requirement. The Master Locksmiths Association says it is down to the individual to check with their insurer which standard their locks should meet. Admiral, an insurer, says that making sure your doors and windows are locked may be a condition of your policy, and that if they were not locked you probably will not be covered for a theft claim.
So read your policy wording, or ring your insurer and ask: what lock standard do you require on my front door, and do you need to see a receipt that says what was fitted? Ask the locksmith to put the lock standard on the receipt.
If you rent
Check your tenancy agreement and ask your landlord before changing locks. Admiral advises that renters need their landlord's permission first and may need to give them a copy of the new keys. It is sensible to tell them promptly, in writing, and keep the receipt.
Choosing who does the work
Use the same checks as for any locksmith. Get one total price in writing before they set off, ask who is coming, and see how to spot a fake locksmith if anything feels wrong. One police force's burglary advice pack says to choose a locksmith who is a member of the Master Locksmiths Association, and you can check that with the association directly. For what a fair price looks like, see what a locksmith costs in London in 2026. If you are locked out as well, locked out: what to do in the first ten minutes. If the lock is faulty rather than attacked, read uPVC door lock problems.
Victim Support offers free support to anyone affected by crime on 08 08 16 89 111.
About the author
ESL Locksmiths works from south east London (SE13 and SE6). This page is advice and sets out what the police, Victim Support and the standards bodies say. It is not insurance advice, so check your own policy.
All advice