Official advice from the British Home Office, the government department responsible for the police force.

Most burglaries are carried out by opportunist thieves. In around 20% of all burglaries, they don't even have to use force. They enter through an open door or window. Reduce the risk of your home being burgled by taking these simple (and often inexpensive) precautions:

1. Fit strong locks to external doors and windows, and make sure they are locked.

2. Remove the keys and keep them out of sight and in a safe place.

3. Fit five-lever mortise deadlocks (British Standard BS3621) to all external doors.

4. If you are replacing or fitting new doors and windows, get ones that are certified to British Standard BS7950 (windows) and PAS 24-1 (doors).

5. Make sure the doors and frames are strong and in good condition. The doors should be at least 44mm thick.

6. Consider using laminated glass (for windows) as this is much harder to break.

7. Consider fitting a letterbox cage to prevent thieves from reaching through to open the door.

8. Fit a door chain or bar and door viewer (spy-hole). Use them every time someone calls. Don't leave door chain or bar on all the time in case you need to get out in an emergency.

9. Never leave a spare key in a convenient hiding place such as under the doormat, in a flowerpot or behind a loose brick - thieves know to look there first.

 

BS 3621:2004 Thief resistant locks. Key egress.

The minimum standard for locks on external or entrance doors to be acceptable to the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the police service. The effectiveness of the lock also depends on the quality of the door, frame and other hardware which is not tested by this standard and which may fail before the lock.