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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To tell you to change your locks

199 replies

Palomb · 05/07/2017 14:01

If you have euro type barrel locks on any of your doors they are not secure. We were burgled last night for my husbands car. The scum that did it snapped the lock on our back door with a tool you can buy on ebay for less than a quid. We were asleep in the room above with the windows wide open and didn't hear a thing.

All out locks are currently being changed to anti snap locks. They are only £40 each. We had no idea lock snapping was even a thing.

Also, while I'm being bossy, if you have more than one car don't have all the keys on one key ring. I have to get all the locks changed on my car and it's going to cost £500+ this is not covered by my insurance. Keep your keys seperate. You can only drive one car at a time.

OP posts:
K425 · 05/07/2017 14:09

And don't keep your car keys anywhere near your front/back doors!

Cookingongas · 05/07/2017 14:13

Thanks for the tip

I'm so sorry for you. Burglary is awful- absolutely devastating even if you " only " lose things, it's so invasive and scary, best of luck getting everything sorted x

Original poster
Palomb · 05/07/2017 14:17

The police officer actually told us to leave the keys in plain sight as it's better they just get them
Than go rooting around the house for them.

Thank you cooking I feel completely violated. They're counts aren't they :(

OP posts:
Original poster
Palomb · 05/07/2017 14:17

CUNTS even!

OP posts:
Lifegavemelemons · 05/07/2017 14:29

Sad so sorry to hear this, I've just had our UPVC backdoor lock changed to the more secure version. The door is only a year old (double door) and do I assumed it would have a secure lock - then saw an article in the neighbourhood watch newsletter about how these locks were far from secure Confused got the local locksmith in the next week. We were burgled a few years ago (hand through the cat flap of the old back door, flipped up the bottom "security" locks then simply pulled the two French doors out at the same time, breaking the frame at the top but not needing to break the main lock) it takes a while to feel safe again, but we got there in the end. Hope you do too.

Interesting to hear that the police say leave the keys so they can be found.

Original poster
Palomb · 05/07/2017 14:35

Scary isn't it. When I get 5 minutes I'm going to write a note about the locks and post it through my neighbours doors. I thought our house was feasibly secure :(

OP posts:
Original poster
Palomb · 05/07/2017 14:36

Reasonably secure even. I'm not really firing on all cylinders today.

OP posts:
Clandestino · 05/07/2017 14:39

This is the reason why we have alarm set up even during the night, which is connected to police.

Original poster
Palomb · 05/07/2017 14:40

We have an alarm but don't ever set it because we have cats. Will be researching alternatives I think. Which one have you got?

OP posts:
ladypie21 · 05/07/2017 14:41

Interesting the police say to leave keys out. I always leave my purse and car keys on the bottom of the stairs (not visible from outside) in the hope that if we're burgled they might take them and run. My husband tries to put them away and thinks I'm nuts but I'd much rather they got out quick than have them come upstairs where me and my kids are asleep.

PyongyangKipperbang · 05/07/2017 14:41

I read the same thing about car keys. That if you have a car that is likely to be a target then leave the keys out. The more upmarket the car the more likely it is being stolen to order, so they will find the keys. Make it easier for them and therefore safer for you. Car insurance is there for this kind of thing, no car is worth risking your family's safety for.

Northend77 · 05/07/2017 14:42

How do I know if I have a Euro cylinder lock? I have just Googled them but obviously when they are fitted into the door you can't see what the mechanism looks like

HipsterHunter · 05/07/2017 14:45

After seeing how quickly a lock smith got me into my house last week when I locked myself out.... I am not surprised locks aren't very secure!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 05/07/2017 14:45

K425 I would argue that in fact you should keep your car keys in the most obvious place inside your front door. Car burglars steal cars. They will see your car obviously. They want the keys for it, probably to order. Don't make them root through your personal belongings and precious items to find it. Assuming you are insured for theft, seriously, there is no point apprehending a burglar.

Burglars who break in for ps4s and jewellery are doing it to trade for drugs. Burglars who break in for car keys already know your car, someone is in line to buy it, they probably already have a plate for it. This is especially important when you first get a company car/ big name car. 3 stolen on our estate last few months, brand new merc, Audi and bmw.

I used to work in a prison and I met a lot of burglars. This was their advice.

AddictedToDrPepper · 05/07/2017 14:46

How awful for you Sad really hope you're ok Flowers

MiaowTheCat · 05/07/2017 14:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

redjoker · 05/07/2017 14:47

Anyone have any tips for alarm systems? I have a dog so rules having one out? (or does it)

lanouvelleheloise · 05/07/2017 14:49

I'm so sorry this happened to you. It feels like a complete violation when you are robbed. Utterly horrible. Hope you are OK.

Clandestino · 05/07/2017 14:49

Palomb, we also have two cats so we have an alarm with two settings: vibration settings which react to whenever windows or doors are open. This setting is always active during the night as cats don't disturb them but if someone tried to open a window or a door even slightly, the alarm would go off.
Another setting is when we all away - it's combined vibration sensors + infrared.
It works fine for us. We also have visible labels that our alarm is police monitored. No alarm is unbreakable but burglars usually go for the least resistance as they want to be in and out as quickly as possible so they usually pick houses where there is no alarm on.

PinkHeart5911 · 05/07/2017 14:50

Sorry to hear that OP 💐 Gin I was burgled when I first left home and it was a horrible feeling that a stranger had been in my home.

Now me & dh have an alarm and it is always set at night, and lights on the front & back of the house, gravel drive way which makes plenty of noise. We always hide our car keys at nights, some bastard isn't having my car if they manage to get it

Northend77 · 05/07/2017 14:51

I must admit I had this worry when we had a beautiful, just off the production line Mercedes as a hire car recently. We had it for over a month due to the time it took for my claim to process and it was easily the most attractive car around! I usually park my car right outside my house for convenience but then I haven't ever owned a car worth even a second look! So I parked the Merc on our drive way which is one of 3 around the corner so it wasn't obvious who owned it. Oh I miss that car!!

IloveBanff · 05/07/2017 14:52

OP you say you have an alarm, but don't set it. Won't that mean you won't be able to claim on your insurance given that the premium will have been adjusted because you have an alarm system? I thought they didn't pay out if it turns out that no alarms went off because you didn't set them.

notsmartenough · 05/07/2017 14:56

Last year I had someone try to get through my UVPC door by kicking in the panels - so bypassing the lock completely.
I think they'd been tempted by the nice car parked outside my house so wanted the keys.
It wasn't even my car - it was next door's.
I have a composite door now, one recommended by the police. Not sure how safe the lock is though.

NomDePlumeReloaded · 05/07/2017 14:56

redjoker, you can get pet friendly alarm systems now.

MeanAger · 05/07/2017 14:56

And don't keep your car keys anywhere near your front/back doors!

Disagree. If someone wants my car keys I want them grabbing them and getting the fuck out. I do not want them coming any further into my house than is necessary. If they have already broken the lock then they are in the house. Making the keys harder for them to find risks them disturbing you or your children.