Securing a property after a break-in
If someone has forced a door or window, a mobile locksmith covering Bayswater and nearby W2 districts can attend the same day to make the property secure. This means replacing a damaged lock and fitting a temporary board over a broken panel. The locksmith then checks that the door or window closes and locks again, since a door that will not lock leaves you exposed.
The first aim on arrival is to stop further access. However, anything beyond that, such as an upgrade to a higher security standard, gets a separate quote once the property is safe. This same-day response covers Bayswater, Queensway, Westbourne Park, Edgware Road W2, Portobello Road and Marble Arch.
What is usually damaged and what we fix
A forced entry typically damages the lock cylinder, the door frame around the strike plate, or both. If the frame has splintered or the keep has pulled away from the timber, we repair or reinforce the frame first. A new lock in a damaged frame gives little real security.
We board over broken glass or a damaged panel as an interim measure. While this is only temporary, it keeps the property weathertight and secure, so a glazier or joiner has time to do the permanent fix.
Same-day lock replacement is standard after a break-in. Do not reuse a forced lock, even if it still turns, because the mechanism may be weak inside. Our lock change page shows what a full replacement involves. For milder damage, read our guide on when to repair a lock and when to replace it.
Insurance paperwork tips
Photograph the damage before anyone touches or repairs anything, because the photos support your claim. Cover the door, the frame and the lock in place, from a few angles and close up. Ask the locksmith for an itemised invoice too. It should show what they replaced, the make and standard of the new lock, and the date.
Insurers typically ask for this invoice when they process a claim. Keep the police crime reference number alongside it. Most insurers want both before they settle a claim, and a delay in reporting can cause trouble later.
For the full order of steps, and who to contact first, read our what to do after a burglary guide.
Meeting your insurer’s requirements going forward
A break-in is often the first time anyone checks a policy’s lock standard. If the old lock failed BS3621 or an equivalent, a like-for-like swap may leave the policy unmet. The BS3621 locks page explains what the standard means and where it applies.
This still matters for the mortice deadlocks and nightlatches common in London flats. Shared entrance doors in a block of flats raise a further question, but they follow different rules. Our guide to locks on mansion block communal doors covers that question.
Boarding and temporary security
If someone broke a panel or window to get in, boarding it securely is usually the first practical step. We do this before the lock replacement, so the property does not stay open while you arrange other work. However, boarding is a stopgap and not a repair.
You still need to arrange permanent glazing or joinery separately. Meanwhile, the locksmith can advise on interim security.
Get help securing your property
If someone has broken into your property, get in touch for a same-day callout. We make it secure again. Request a call back or send your details through the contact form. You can also read the what to do after a burglary guide for the full step-by-step sequence.