Lock Snapping Burglary Statistics – 7% Decline from 2011 – 2019

After a Freedom of information request was made by the Master Locksmith Association to West Yorkshire Police, we can reveal that the amount of recorded crime of lock snapping has been on the decline since 2012.

You will find a news article every few months about someone being a victim of lock snapping, as this crime requires very little knowledge of actual locks.  In fact, a criminal can snap a lock in less than 10 seconds.

So we decided to see what the actual numbers were and how much of a decline this crime has seen since 2009, you can read the results we found below.

Percentage of Burglaries Involving Lock Snapping from 2009 – 2019

The following are the percentage of burglaries committed using lock snapping as the method of breaking into a home to commit a burglary.

• 2009 – 12.49% of Burglaries involved lock snapping
• 2010 – 15.26% of Burglaries involved lock snapping
• 2011 – 15.87% of Burglaries involved lock snapping
• 2012 – 14.27% of Burglaries involved lock snapping
• 2013 – 12.61% of Burglaries involved lock snapping
• 2014 – 9.05% of Burglaries involved lock snapping
• 2015 – 7.85% of Burglaries involved lock snapping
• 2016 – 9.31% of Burglaries involved lock snapping
• 2017 – 8.85% of Burglaries involved lock snapping
• 2018 – 8.83% of Burglaries involved lock snapping
• 2019 – 8.32% of Burglaries involved lock snapping

Lock Snapping Burglaries on The Decline – Down 7% since 2011

As you can see from the above statistics lock snapping burglaries have been on a steady decline from 2012 onwards.

There has been a 7% decline since from 2011 – 2019.

Record High – Lock snapping burglaries were at a record high in 2011, when 15.87% of burglaries committed used lock snapping as a method of entry.

Record Low – Whereas we can see in 2019 that only 8.32% of burglaries so far (as of June 2019) involved lock snapping.

Why the decline since 2011?

We believe this decline has been helped due to the introduction of SS312 Diamond approved cylinders by Sold Secure on 2011 which are specifically designed and tested lock cylinders against lock snapping.

Also introduced in 2012/2013 was TS 007 another standard again developed to (at the 3* level) stop lock snapping by DHF (Door & Hardware Federation) and GGF (Glass & Glazing Federation).

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Percentage of Attempted Burglaries Involving Lock Snapping from 2009 – 2019

The following are the number of attempted burglaries that involve a burglar TRYING to snap the cylinder.

• 2009 – 4.52% Attempted Burglaries involving lock snapping
• 2010 – 5.67% Attempted Burglaries involving lock snapping
• 2011 – 6.04% Attempted Burglaries involving lock snapping
• 2012 – 5.25% Attempted Burglaries involving lock snapping
• 2013 – 4.59% Attempted Burglaries involving lock snapping
• 2014 – 3.21% Attempted Burglaries involving lock snapping
• 2015 – 2.91% Attempted Burglaries involving lock snapping
• 2016 – 3.45% Attempted Burglaries involving lock snapping
• 2017 – 3.11% Attempted Burglaries involving lock snapping
• 2018 – 2.98% Attempted Burglaries involving lock snapping
• 2019 – 2.67% Attempted Burglaries involving lock snapping

Attempted Lock Snapping Burglaries on The Decline

Again you can see from the above statistics, not only are successful burglaries through locks snapping declining, but attempted break-ins using lock method have also been on a steady decline since 2012.

Record High – Attempted burglaries using lock snapping as the method of entry were at a record high in 2011, when was percentage was 6.04%.

Record Low – Whereas we can see in 2019 that only 2.67% of attempted burglaries involved lock snapping.

This would seem to indicate that the likes of SS312 Diamond has caused the burglars to look at other techniques for committing their crimes.

How Can I Stop Lock Snapping?

Read our most secure lock page here for information about how to prevent your locks being snapped which covers the best and more secure standard of euro cylinder required to be fitted.

Below is an example of how an anti snap can help stop thieves from snapping your locks.

The above lock that has been fitted is a SS312 diamond cylinder designed and tested to prevent euro cylinders being snapped.

Summary

It’s clear that lock snapping burglaries are on the decline, and this has been helped by euro-cylinder security standards introduced & designed to protect against this crime, led by SS312 Diamond.

Further Reading

• Door Lock Type Guide – The pro/cons of common door locks
• Guide to British Standard Locks – How to check your locks are British Standard