If you think the burglar is still there or you feel unsafe, do not go in. Leave and call 999. Once it is safe, the steps are to call the police, contact your insurer and secure the building. In Which?'s analysis, almost all home insurance policies cover replacing external door locks if your keys are stolen. This guide explains exactly what to do, what it normally costs, and which locks will make your doors secure again.
First, stay safe
If you arrive home and suspect the intruder is still inside the property, do not go in. Leave the doorstep immediately and move to a safe place. Your physical safety is much more important than your belongings or checking the damage.
Call 999 if the burglary is still happening or if you think you are at immediate risk of getting hurt. This is the official guidance from Victim Support for anyone who feels unsafe. Do not try to confront anyone or block their exit.
Wait at a safe distance for the police to arrive before you re-enter your home. If you are already inside the house when you realise a break-in has occurred, get yourself into a secure room, lock the door, and call 999 immediately.
Call the police and get a crime reference number
Report the incident to the police. Call 101 immediately after a break-in if the incident has already finished and the intruders have left. You should only dial 999 if the crime is happening right now or you are in danger.
When you speak to the operator, explain what has happened and answer their questions clearly. The police should give you a crime reference number over the phone. If they do not offer one automatically, ask for it before you end the call.
This crime reference number is essential for any insurance claim you make later. Keep it safe, because you will need it for any future contact about the incident or if you want to make a compensation claim.
Be aware that police investigations can take some time. Having your reference number to hand makes following up much easier when you need updates on your case.
Do not tidy up yet
Walking into a ransacked home is deeply upsetting, and your first instinct will be to clean up the mess. You must resist this urge and leave the scene exactly as it is.
Do not touch anything, because your home is now a crime scene. The police may need to gather forensic evidence, such as fingerprints or tool marks left on the door frame.
Before anything is moved or repaired, take clear photographs of all the damage for your insurer. Focus on smashed windows, broken door panels, and forced locks. These photos prove the extent of the damage before temporary repairs are made.
You can make a list of what you can see is missing, but do this without rummaging through your belongings. You can update this list later once the police have finished their initial checks and given you permission to tidy up.
Tell your insurer and keep your receipts
Inform your home insurer of what occurred as soon as possible. They will ask for your crime reference number, so have it ready when you call their claims line.
Ask them exactly what your policy covers regarding emergency repairs. Check whether your policy includes home emergency cover, because you may be able to claim back the cost of a glazier or locksmith to secure the property. Always keep the receipts and written invoices from any tradesperson who attends your home on the day of the break-in.
Check your policy wording carefully regarding stolen keys. Which? found in 2025 that almost all home insurance policies include cover to replace your external door locks if your keys are stolen. The only exceptions in its analysis were two policies aimed at renters.
Window locks are handled differently. In the same analysis, 63 per cent of policies did not cover them, so check your own policy wording.
If you live in rented accommodation, you must tell your landlord about the burglary. Tenants should check their tenancy agreement and get the landlord's agreement before changing locks or arranging permanent repairs. Pointing out the damage to the landlord quickly ensures the building can be secured properly.
Securing the home the same day
Your immediate priority after the police have visited is making the building secure so you can sleep safely. If doors or windows are smashed, you need emergency help to close the gap.
An emergency locksmith or glazier can visit the same day to board up broken glass and make damaged doors secure. Boarding up involves fitting heavy plywood tightly over smashed panels or windows to keep the weather and intruders out until permanent repairs are made.
Locksmiths usually price jobs as labour plus parts, charging either by the hour or as a fixed price per job. The time of day heavily influences the final bill. Evening, night, weekend and bank holiday call outs cost more than standard weekday visits.
The MLA 2026 price guide gives hourly labour from around £85 nationally, from £95 in London and from £105 after 8pm. These are starting prices, not caps. Many locksmiths charge no separate call-out fee, but some do, and VAT may or may not be included.
Always get a total price before the work starts. A trustworthy locksmith will ask you to describe the damage over the phone so they can give you an accurate estimate.
If the damage is minor and the door still locks securely, the job can wait until the daytime rate applies. If the door cannot be locked or a window is completely shattered, you will have to pay the higher evening rate. You can read more about why night call outs cost more to help you decide.
When to change the locks
You do not always need to change every lock in the house after a break-in. It depends entirely on how the burglar gained entry and what they took.
Change your locks immediately if your keys were taken during the burglary. If the intruder has your keys, they could return. Which? also warns that a break-in by someone who had been given a key may not be covered by your home insurance policy, so check your own policy wording.
If you have lost a set of keys during the confusion of the event, you should still replace the locks. In an insurer's research reported by Which? in 2020, 60 per cent of respondents said they did not change their locks after losing a set of keys.
You must also replace any locks that were damaged when the door was forced. A locksmith can often replace just the damaged parts rather than the whole locking mechanism, which keeps the cost down.
If you have just moved into a new home, the first thing to do is change your door locks. You never know who still holds spare keys from the previous owners.
For rented homes, a landlord who changes the locks to keep a tenant out without a court order commits illegal eviction, which is a criminal offence. Tenants and landlords should consult Citizens Advice or Shelter for guidance on their own situation regarding tenancy disputes.
Which locks to choose after a break-in
When you hire a locksmith to replace your locks, ask them to fit models that meet recognised British security standards. Make sure your home is well secured with key operated multi point locks, deadbolts and key locked windows. Ask the locksmith to check the door and frame too, because a forced entry can damage them.
The type of lock you need depends on the door. For timber doors, the standard is BS3621. This is the British Standard for mortice and rim locks, shown by a Kitemark on the lock faceplate.
A mortice deadlock or sashlock is fitted inside the wood of a timber door. A BS3621 lever lock has to have a minimum of 5 levers to meet the standard. If you have a night latch or rim lock, which is the surface latch often called a Yale lock, this should not be the only lock on the door. A rim cylinder is the keyhole part of a night latch that sits on the outside of the door.
For uPVC and composite doors, the main lock is a euro cylinder. This is the barrel where the key goes in. One known weakness of these doors is lock snapping, where an intruder breaks the cylinder to reach the mechanism inside.
Ask the locksmith to fit snap resistant euro cylinders. The standards to look for are TS007 three-star or Sold Secure SS312 Diamond. SS312 Diamond is the highest attack test rating for euro cylinders, and TS007 three-star is also tested. A one-star cylinder can also reach the three-star standard if it is fitted with two-star security handles.
The euro cylinder operates the multipoint locking mechanism, which is the strip of hooks and bolts worked by lifting the handle. The central part of that mechanism is called the gearbox. A locksmith can usually replace just the cylinder or the gearbox if they fail, without needing to replace the entire metal strip.
If you are replacing multiple locks, you can ask for them to be keyed alike, which means one single key will open all of them. No lock guarantees against a burglary, but fitting high standard hardware makes your home a much harder target. You can read more about security standards on the Master Locksmiths Association lock replacement page.
Typical replacement lock prices
Prices for lock replacement vary by area, time of day, and the security grade of the lock. The table below shows typical published prices for 2026.
|
Type of lock or cylinder |
Typical starting price |
|---|---|
|
Standard euro cylinder on a uPVC door |
From £105 |
|
Anti-snap euro cylinder on a uPVC door |
From £137 |
|
Night latch on a wooden door |
From £116 |
|
Mortice lock |
From £148 |
These figures are typical published prices for 2026, and your local quotes will differ depending on your location. The MLA says these job prices include VAT. Ask any locksmith whether VAT is included in their quote. You can see the full breakdown of these figures on the Master Locksmiths Association price guide.
Before agreeing to any work, you should ask the locksmith to confirm exactly what you will pay. A fair quote should include:
- The total cost of the labour for the visit
- The price of the replacement lock or cylinder
- Any separate call-out fee if the locksmith charges one
- The extra charge for evening or weekend attendance
- Whether VAT is included in the final figure
How to avoid rogue locksmith scams
When you are stressed after a break-in, you are more vulnerable to rogue traders. It is important to know the signs of a bad locksmith before you let a stranger work on your front door.
One common problem is national call centres advertising as a local locksmith and passing the job to whoever is nearest. They often quote a very low price on the phone that multiplies once the contractor is on the doorstep.
Always check the business has a real local address and consistent reviews over time. Ask to see their ID on arrival and insist on a written invoice when the job is done.
Watch out for these common signs of a rogue locksmith scam:
- Refusing to give a total price before starting the work
- Drilling a lock that could have been opened without damage
- Fitting cheap cylinders but charging premium prices for them
- Replacing a whole multipoint mechanism when only the gearbox failed
- Demanding cash only and refusing to provide company details
- Arriving with no identification in an unmarked vehicle
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, a service must be carried out with reasonable care and skill, at a reasonable price if none was agreed, and within a reasonable time. You have a right to have poor work put right or get your money back. Citizens Advice can help you if you need to make a complaint.
Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, there is normally a 14-day cancellation period for work arranged at home or by phone. This does not apply where you specifically asked for a visit for urgent repairs. However, any extra work sold to you during that visit is not covered by the exception. If you are unsure who to hire, read up on the warning signs of a rogue locksmith to protect yourself.
Cards, documents and support
Once the house is secure, check whether any bank cards, driving licences, or passports are missing. Cancel stolen bank cards immediately using your banking app or your bank's emergency phone line.
Burglary takes a severe emotional toll. It is completely normal to feel anxious, violated, or unable to sleep after a stranger has been in your home. You do not have to deal with the emotional impact alone.
Contact Victim Support on their free 24/7 Supportline at 08 08 16 89 111 for confidential help. It is completely free to contact them, whether or not you decide to report the crime to the police.
If you have information about the burglary but want to remain anonymous, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Common questions
Are locksmiths regulated by the government?
There is no government licensing of locksmiths in the UK. Anyone can trade as one, which is why vetting matters before you hire someone. The Master Locksmiths Association runs a voluntary approval scheme where its approved companies are vetted, have criminal record checks, employ locksmiths who have passed an exam, and are inspected regularly. You can check any approval claim on the association's own site.
What is non-destructive entry?
Non-destructive entry means gaining access to a property by picking or bypassing the lock rather than drilling it. A skilled locksmith will ask how entry is normally gained and use these techniques to open a door without damaging the hardware. The MLA says drilling is usually a last resort and incurs lots of extra charges.
How long does a lock change take?
Most single lock changes take well under an hour to complete. Replacing a standard euro cylinder on a uPVC door usually takes about 20 minutes. The job will take longer if the door frame is badly damaged from the break-in or if fresh wood needs to be cut to fit a new mortice lock.
Can an auto locksmith replace stolen car keys?
If the burglar stole your car keys, an auto locksmith can supply, cut and program new ones. Auto locksmiths are a separate specialism covering vehicle entry, key cutting, transponder and remote programming. Ask the locksmith whether the stolen keys can be disabled so they can no longer start the car.
What to do next
Taking things one step at a time helps you stay calm and get your home secure. Follow this exact order to deal with the immediate aftermath of a break-in:
- Call 101 or 999 to report the crime and request your crime reference number
- Take clear photographs of all damage before moving anything
- Call your home insurer to check your emergency cover for boarding up
- Cancel any stolen bank cards and report stolen identity documents
- Arrange a locksmith or glazier to secure the home, and replace any compromised locks
When you are ready to arrange repairs, look for a professional with a real local address and consistent reviews. Always ask to see their ID on arrival and insist on a detailed written invoice. To get started with replacing your locks, you can find a locksmith near you to make your home secure again.
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