Do you need expensive door keys to deter thieves?

[Fiona2011231]

My street and the surrounding area are traditionally very safe. However, recently there are more thefts reported. And yesterday, someone opened my garden shed.

As I have not dealt with this theft concern before, I'm not sure what to expect.

I'm more worried about thieves breaking into my home. So do I need to buy expensive door keys, or would thieves normally stop if they see the doors are locked?

Thank you.

Expensive door keys?

Sorry. Perhaps I should edit my question. What I mean is: How good/sophisticated should your door keys be, or would thieves normally stop if they see the doors are locked?

Still don't get it sorry?

Do you mean door locks?

In terms of door locks, different kinds are easier/more difficult to open. There are lots of other things you can do to make it harder to get in your door- E.g. hinge bolts and a strip of wood so you can't Slip a credit card down the side of the lock. But thieves get in through windows too- so best to look at your whole home rather than just the door.

if you have a wooden door, a 5-lever British Standard thief-resisting lock is as good as you can get, not at all expensive, and fairly easy to fit. They come in a limited range of sizes so often you can take out an old one and fit a new one in minutes. One of the best is the inexpensive Union which is available at discounters. Wickes sell ERA with their own brand on the package which are quite good. Your back door should have the same, but supplemented with rackbolts (mortice bolts). Your shed should have a substantial padlock and hasp which weighs more than a pack of butter.

If you have a simple old-fashioned yale-type nightlatch, your granny could kick it in, and your ten-year-old could be taught to open it through the letterbox in less than five minutes.

Plastic doors and Eurocylinders are not as good, and more tricky/expensive to improve.

Take the keys out to make it difficult for someone to reach in and open the door.

You need to check your home insurance small print. You will probably find that you definitely need the 5-lever lock as recommended by PigletJohn.

Thank you so much for your wonderful replies.