Every 164 seconds, a home in the UK is burgled, equating to 526 burglaries daily. Alarmingly, 70% of these break-ins occur through doors, making them the primary entry point for criminals. Despite many homeowners believing they have adequate security, burglars can force their way into a weak door in under 10 seconds—often without making a sound.
Now, Furniture in Fashion, Home Item experts, are warning homeowners to rethink their front door security and take action to reinforce their homes against opportunistic thieves.
How Burglars Are Getting In
While many homeowners focus on high-tech security solutions, the reality is that a poorly secured door remains the easiest way for criminals to gain access to your home.
According to experts, burglars most commonly exploit:
- Lock Snapping – One of the most common burglary techniques, particularly in homes with uPVC and composite doors. Burglars apply force to the protruding lock cylinder, causing it to snap and granting them instant access.
- Weak Door Frames – Even with a strong lock, a weak frame can be kicked or forced open in seconds. Many door frames are made of lightweight wood, which is vulnerable to impact.
- Unsecured Letterboxes – Without a letterbox restrictor, burglars can reach inside with tools to grab keys or unlock the door from within.
- Poorly Installed or Hollow Doors – A front door that is thin, hollow, or made of low-quality materials can be easily broken with brute force.
- Lack of Deadbolts or Secondary Locks – Many homes rely on a single Yale-style lock, which can be easily manipulated or bypassed.
The Reality of Door Burglaries
Burglars know that time is their biggest enemy—the longer it takes to break into a house, the more likely they are to be caught. That is why they target homes with weak front doors, allowing them to get inside in mere seconds.
- 70% of burglaries happen through doors, with 58% through the front door and 12% through the back.
- An estimated 76% of burglars enter through an unlocked or easily forced door.
- The average burglary lasts just 8 minutes—burglars aim to be in and out before anyone notices.
- In over 60% of cases, the homeowner was in the property when the burglary occurred.
- A burglary costs the average UK household £3,030, covering stolen items, door repairs, and security upgrades.
How to Protect Your Home from Door Burglaries
Furniture in Fashion advises homeowners to take immediate steps to reinforce their doors and eliminate weak points before it is too late.
- Upgrade to a Solid Core or Composite Door – Hollow doors are an easy target. Opt for a solid wood, metal-reinforced, or composite door to prevent forced entry.
- Install an Anti-Snap Lock – Standard euro-cylinder locks can be snapped in seconds. Upgrade to an anti-snap, anti-bump, and anti-drill lock.
- Use a Letterbox Restrictor – This prevents burglars from reaching inside with tools to manipulate locks or grab keys.
- Install a Secondary Lock or Deadbolt – Yale-style locks alone are not enough. Add a mortice deadbolt or chain lock to improve security.
Final Warning from Furniture in Fashion
A spokesperson for Furniture in Fashion, one of the UK’s leading household and security experts, urges homeowners to act now before becoming a target.
“Most people assume their home is secure, but the reality is that many doors have serious vulnerabilities that burglars know how to exploit. If your door is not reinforced, you could be giving criminals easy access to your home in under 10 seconds. Prevention is always better than dealing with the aftermath of a break-in—upgrading your door security now can save you thousands and, more importantly, keep your family safe.”
Sources:
- Office for National Statistics Crime Survey – www.ons.gov.uk
- Metropolitan Police – www.met.police.uk
- Calder Security – www.caldersecurity.co.uk
- Locksmiths UK – www.locksmiths.co.uk
- Age UK – www.ageuk.org.uk
- Police UK – www.police.uk