10 Best Burglar Deterrents UK (Ranked By Locksmiths)

10 Best Burglar Deterrents UK (Ranked By Locksmiths)

As UK home security experts, we at Keytek Locksmiths share our knowledge to homeowners to help them understand how to deter burglars, strengthen weak entry points and improve security in their homes. Most break-ins are opportunistic and can be prevented with a few simple changes.

• A UK home is burgled roughly every 165 seconds
• Police recorded 223,456 burglary offences in the year ending March 2026
• 3 in 10 burglars enter through an unlocked door or window
• Security cameras and alarms are among the best burglary deterrents in the UK

 

Top 10 Best Burglar Deterrents (UK)

These are the most effective ways to deter thieves, based on expert locksmith advice:

1. Lock all doors and windows every night (simple but one of the strongest burglar deterrents).
2. Install a burglar alarm – 60% of burglars avoid homes with one.
3. Use British Standard locks (required by many UK insurers).
4. Upgrade uPVC door cylinders to anti-snap 3-star locks.
5. Add door chains, spy holes & letterbox guards.
6. Secure your perimeter with strong gates, fences & gravel paths.
7. Install visible security cameras (one of the biggest deterrents to thieves).
8. Fit motion-activated lights around your property.
9. Secure sheds & outbuildings where tools are stored.
10. Make your home look occupied when away (timers, blinds, neighbour checks).

 

 

 

 

1.    Night-time Security Routine (Cheap & Effective)

A consistent nightly routine is one of the cheapest ways to deter burglars:

• Lock all external doors and windows
• Ensure alarm systems and smart devices are set
• Check garden gates are shut
• Keep keys stored out of sight and away from the letterbox

Wondering why you should lock your door at night? Read our comprehensive guide on why you should and the security implications.

 

2.    Install a Burglar Alarm

A working alarm is one of the best burglar deterrents, with 60% of surveyed burglars saying they avoid alarmed properties.

 

Security Options:

• Full home alarm systems
• Smart alarms
• Budget-friendly alarm dummy boxes

 

3.    Install British Standard Locks

British Standard (BS3621, BS8621, BS10621) locks are tested for strength, durability and security, making them a strong burglar deterrent.

Our data found that 54.1% of lock repairs are identified at an early stage, when warning signs such as stiffness, key jiggling or crunching noises appear. Checking your locks when you notice these signs can help prevent more serious problems.

 

Why British Standard Matters

• Harder to force or pick
• Required by many home insurance policies as approved locks
• Reduce the change of opportunistic entry

If you’re unsure what locks you have, read our information on British Standard locks and how to identify them.

 

4.    Prevent Lock Snapping

Many UK burglaries involve cylinder snapping on uPVC doors.

Our analysis of more that 350,000 locksmith jobs found that 47.7% of call outs involved uPVC doors, with 50.8% of uPVC jobs caused by failed locks. Keeping your locks in good working order and replacing faulty cylinders can help improve your homes security.

 

Best Fix
Upgrade to TS007 3-Star Anti-Snap cylinders such as:

• ABS High Security Cylinders
• Ultion 3-Star Plus

 

5.    Additional Door Security

Cheap additions that deter thieves include:

• Door chain
• Spy hole
• Letterbox guard or cage to prevent key fishing

 

 

6.    Secure Your Perimeter

Thieves look for easy ways in. Improve security by:

• Repairing weak fences or gates
• Planting thorny hedges
• Using gravel paths and driveways for noise
• Ensuring the front door remains visible to neighbours

Thinking about adding spikes to your fence? Read our information on Are Fence Spikes Legal in the UK?

 

7.    Install Security Cameras

Visible cameras are often ranked by criminals as the number one burglar deterrent.

Benefits:

• Remote monitoring
• Potential home-insurance discounts
• Clear evidence in case of an incident

For strongest deterrence, install at least one outdoor camera facing the front of your home.

 

8.    Improve Shed & Outbuilding Security

Sheds often contain high-value items. To deter thieves:

• Upgrade locks
• Fit a shed alarm
• Mark valuables
• Plant prickly shrubs near windows
• Cover windows with curtains or film

 

9.    Use Motion-Activated Lights

Motion lights deter burglars at night by exposing movement around doors, driveways, and paths.

Place lights:

• At the front and back door
• At garden corners
• High enough to prevent tampering

 

10. Make Your Home Look Occupied

One of the most effective and cheap ways to deter burglars:

• Use timer switches
• Ask neighbours to check your home
• Use Royal Mail Keepsafe to stop mail piling up
• Trim bushes so the property looks maintained
• Join your local Neighbourhood Watch

 

 

Get Involved

The Neighbourhood watch are always looking for people to either join a scheme or set one up in their local area. Whether you have a lot of time or only a little you can make a difference in your community.

To find out more about the Neighbourhood Watch and how to join or set up a scheme visit www.ourwatch.org.uk