Yes, and police advice is to repair or replace the locks if a burglar forced their way in or took your keys. Report it to the police first for a crime reference number, and tell your insurer before work starts. If you rent, speak to your landlord as well.
Gloucestershire Police advise repairing or replacing locks on doors and windows if a burglar forced their way in or keys were lost or stolen. Victim Support says it is a good idea to change your locks if your house keys were stolen, especially if the thief knows where you live. A lock that still turns may also have been weakened in the attack. Our UK burglary statistics show how often a forced door lock is the way in.
Get the order right. Report the burglary to the police and get a crime reference number, which Victim Support says you need for a home insurance claim. If it is happening now, call 999. Police advice is not to clean up before officers arrive, and not to let anyone, police included, use the door the burglar came through, so evidence is not lost.
Then phone your insurer. Tell them what happened, give them the crime reference number and ask who they want to do the work: Gloucestershire Police say an insurer should be able to arrange new locks. Keep every receipt, because Ageas, an insurer, says you may be able to claim the money back if you have home emergency cover.
Ask for locks to a recognised standard. For cylinders on uPVC and composite doors, West Yorkshire Police name TS007 and Sold Secure Diamond (SS312) and recommend 3 stars as the minimum when upgrading. On wooden doors, look for BS3621 on the faceplate. If you rent, Admiral says you need your landlord's permission first and may need to give them a copy of the new keys.
Our burglary repair secures the door and changes or upgrades the locks: £110 on weekdays from 8am to 6pm, £140 on evenings and weekends and £150 from 10pm to 8am, plus parts. A door or frame that is beyond repair needs a door fitter as well.
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