Blog Post

Secure Your Property Fast: Expert After Burglary Services in South West London

January 20, 2025

Understanding the Importance of Immediate Action After a Burglary

If you've recently been through a burglary, knowing the right steps to secure your property is absolutely crucial. It’s an upsetting experience that can leave you feeling really vulnerable. That’s where we come in. Our team at SMS Locksmiths is here to provide the fast and reliable help you need right when it matters most. In this post, we'll walk you through the important actions to take immediately after a burglary and explain how our after-burglary services can quickly help secure your property again. We offer everything from boarding up services to changing locks, ensuring that your space is safe and you can have peace of mind again, whether you're a homeowner or a business owner.


What to Do Immediately After a Burglary

If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of a burglary, taking the right steps immediately can help mitigate further risks and prepare you for a swift recovery. Here’s what you should do right away:


  1. Call the Police: As soon as you discover a break-in, your first step should be to contact the police. It’s important not to touch anything until the police arrive, as they will need to collect evidence. Reporting the incident quickly helps in the investigation and increases the chances of catching the burglars and potentially recovering stolen items.
  2. Document the Damage: While you wait for the police, start documenting the damage. Take photos or videos of the scene, capturing how things were disturbed and what was damaged. This documentation is crucial for insurance claims and can also be helpful for the police. Make a list of everything that is missing or broken, noting the value of items for your insurance provider.
  3. Call SMS Locksmiths for Immediate After Burglary Services: Once the police have finished their initial investigation and you’ve documented the damage, it’s time to secure your property. Contact SMS Locksmiths for fast and reliable after-burglary services. We’ll respond promptly to board up broken windows and doors and replace compromised locks. Our goal is to resecure your property quickly to prevent any further loss and to help you start feeling safe again.



Our Process: Comprehensive After Burglary Services to Secure Your Property

When you've been the victim of a burglary, the steps you take next are crucial to regaining your security and peace of mind. At SMS Locksmiths, we have a streamlined process to ensure your property is secured as quickly and efficiently as possible. Here’s how we help you bounce back after a break-in:



Immediate Response: As soon as you call us, we prioritize your service request. Our team understands the urgency of the situation and is ready to respond swiftly. We’re here to answer your call 24/7, because we know that burglaries can happen at any time and you need someone you can rely on immediately.


Boarding Up Services: Our first step is to secure the physical vulnerabilities of your property. If your doors or windows have been damaged, our boarding up service ensures that these entry points are securely covered to prevent any further unauthorized access or exposure to the elements. This service is quick, effective, and a crucial first layer of security while you plan for more permanent repairs.


Lock Replacement and Upgrades: While boarding up takes care of immediate risks, changing and upgrading locks is essential to restoring full security. We assess any compromised locks and provide high-quality replacements. Whether you need traditional lock changes or want to upgrade to more advanced locking mechanisms, we have the expertise to recommend and install the best options for enhancing your home's safety.


Security Review and Enhancements: After addressing the immediate security concerns, we also offer to review your overall property security. This can involve assessing potential weak spots and suggesting additional security measures like improved lighting, alarm systems, or even CCTV if you decide to incorporate technological surveillance in the future.

Our comprehensive after burglary services are designed not just to restore your property to its pre-burglary state but to enhance it, making it safer than before. We work closely with you to understand your specific needs and concerns, ensuring that the solutions we provide meet your expectations and bring back your peace of mind. At SMS Locksmiths, we’re not just fixing locks; we’re helping you rebuild a secure and safe environment for you and your loved ones.


How to avoid a burglary

Living in London, while offering numerous cultural and social benefits, also requires being vigilant about personal and property safety. Burglary can be a concern, but there are effective steps you can take to minimize the risk. Here’s some practical advice, crafted to help you keep your home secure:


1. Upgrade Your Locks:

Invest in High-Security Locks: Ensure that all external doors have high-quality locks, such as deadbolts or Euro cylinder anti-snap locks. It's worth consulting with a professional locksmith to get the most secure options available.

Window Locks: Don’t overlook windows, which can be common entry points for burglars. Install locks on all accessible windows, particularly those on the ground floor or close to drainpipes and flat roofs.


2. Use Smart Home Security Technology:

Install an Alarm System: A visible burglar alarm system can deter intruders and alert you and your neighbors to any unauthorized entry.

Consider CCTV: Installing CCTV cameras can be a strong deterrent to potential burglars, especially if they are prominently placed.

Smart Lighting: Use motion-sensitive lights around your property’s perimeter, which will startle potential intruders and can alert you to movement outside.


3. Strengthen Physical Security:

Reinforce Entry Points: Ensure that your doors and frames are strong and in good condition. Consider installing a ‘London Bar’ to reinforce the door frame.

Secure Sliding Doors and French Windows: Use additional locks or security bars to prevent these from being forced open.

Security Grilles and Shutters: Particularly for those living on the ground floor or in easily accessible flats, grilles and shutters can provide an extra layer of security.


4. Be Mindful of Appearances:

Don’t Advertise Your Absence: Use automatic light timers to make it appear someone is home, even when you’re away. Avoid leaving packaging from expensive purchases visible in the trash.

Maintain Your Property: An unkempt home can suggest absence or neglect, making it a more likely target for burglars. Keeping your garden tidy and hedges trimmed also removes potential hiding spots.


5. Community and Neighbourhood Watch:

Join a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme: Being part of a community watch program can significantly reduce crime in your area. You’ll be informed of any suspicious activities and can collaborate on improving neighborhood security.

Communicate with Neighbours: Good relationships with your neighbors can help keep your home safe, especially when you’re away. They can report suspicious activity and collect your mail.



6. Think Like a Burglar:

Assess Your Home’s Vulnerabilities: Walk around your property and try to think like a burglar. Identify weak points and consider how you would break in if you had to, then work to strengthen these areas.

Keep Valuables Out of Sight: Ensure that expensive items are not visible through windows. Use curtains or blinds to obscure the view into your home, particularly in rooms where valuables are kept.

Implementing these measures can greatly enhance the security of your home in London, deterring burglars and giving you peace of mind. Remember, the goal is not just to protect your property but also to make your home feel safe and secure for you and your family.

What SMS Locksmiths can do to help you after a burglary

Experiencing a break-in can be unsettling, leaving you feeling vulnerable. That’s why SMS Locksmiths is dedicated to providing rapid and robust after burglary services to residents of South West London. Our expert team is equipped to handle any emergency with our comprehensive boarding up and resecuring services. Whether it’s a shattered window or a broken door, we ensure that your property is promptly and securely mended, giving you peace of mind while you arrange for permanent repairs.

If your property has been compromised, don’t wait. Our boarding up service is designed to offer temporary but secure closure to your damaged entry points. We use only the highest quality materials to maintain the security of your property, and our lock replacement service ensures that all locks are in working order or upgraded where necessary to enhance your safety.

Stay one step ahead of potential threats with SMS Locksmiths. Our commitment to rapid response and quality service makes us the trusted choice in South West London. Contact us today to secure your property and regain your peace of mind.

October 23, 2024
Locked out of house? Discover stress-free solutions and smart tips to regain entry without the hassle!
May 1, 2024
When it comes to ensuring a happy and secure home, few elements play a more crucial role than the humble door lock. However, like any frequently used mechanical component, locks require regular maintenance to prevent malfunctions and extend their lifespan. This guide will help you with the essential practices for maintaining door locks, ensuring they stay functional and secure year-round. Alternatively just call us and our lock repair locksmith will take care of it for you.
April 18, 2024
Do you have superglue in your lock? Need to remove it? We can help.
By Simon Gabriel December 1, 2023
Homeowners and business owners frequently experience lockouts, damaged locks, and missing, stolen, and damaged keys.
By Simon Gabriel December 1, 2023
Are you locked out of your home or business in Richmond? Do you need to upgrade, repair, and replace any of its door locks, window locks?
By Simon Gabriel December 1, 2023
Does your residential home or business need a security upgrade in Richmond upon Thames?
By Simon Gabriel November 20, 2023
Emergency lockouts can happen unexpectedly. You may come home and find your door lock damaged from an attempted burglary intrusion. Perhaps you have lost your keys and cannot gain entry to your home. Whatever the emergency, you must call a professional locksmith company with the proper skillset and tools to address the problem quickly. That is where we can help. SMS Locksmith is a professional emergency locksmith company serving homeowners and business owners in Twickenham and surrounding locations. Our company can dispatch a qualified and licenced locksmith to your Twickenham-based location within 30 minutes after you request our help. The locksmith will arrive at your property with all the tools and equipment needed to perform the emergency service. Our emergency lock-opening services use non-destructive techniques to unlock doors and windows. We will not damage the doors and windows during the lock-opening process. However, if your lock is damaged or you have lost your keys, we may recommend our lock and key replacement service to ensure your property remains secure. It all depends on the situation. SMS Locksmith employs the most qualified and dedicated locksmiths in Twickenham . Our emergency locksmith services include lock picking & bypassing, lock slipping, and lock drilling. Afterward, we can replace old or damaged locks. Then, you can have peace of mind about the security of your home or business. Request Emergency Assistance Would you like to request emergency assistance with a lockout or other emergency lock situation in Twickenham ? Call us at 0203-3151-0531 to submit your request today. We look forward to serving you.
Locksmith in Twickenham
By Simon Gabriel November 20, 2023
Do you need a mobile locksmith in Twickenham? Whether you have been locked out of your building or wish to repair or replace its door or window locks, you must hire a professional and trustworthy locksmithing company to do the job right.
By Simon Gabriel October 30, 2023
Some homes and businesses use lockable post boxes to store incoming or outgoing mail securely. Does this sound like your situation? Perhaps you live or work in a neighbourhood with a lot of crime and worry about your packages and letters getting stolen. If that is the case, you must hire a professional locksmith to install sturdy and durable locks in your post box, post room, or letter box. Post boxes and letter boxes are essential to keep secure because they often contain critical financial, personal, and legal documents. The last thing you would want to happen is to see those documents end up in the wrong hands. But that could happen if you lose your keys or have a broken lock in the post box or letter box. Every post box and letter box requires a different type of lock and key. So, if your post box lock is malfunctioning or you have lost or damaged the key, you will need a professional locksmith to install the proper lock and key system for the box. Do not attempt to replace the lock or key yourself because you could worsen the problem. Top Reasons for Post Box Lock and Key Issues Here are the common reasons why you might experience problems with your post box lock or key: 1) Vandalism to the Box Your post box or letter box is always out in the open, where it is susceptible to vandalism. If you live in a neighbourhood with a high rate of vandalized and burglarized properties, don’t be surprised if your post box suffers intentional damage. It should be easy to recognize the signs of a vandalized post box because it will contain scrapes, marks, and scuffs around the lock area. If the lock feels loose or unusual after inserting your key, then you should replace the lock immediately. 2) Stolen Keys Did someone steal the keys to your post box or letter box? If so, you cannot run the risk of the thief using the keys to access the contents of your post box. Contact a professional locksmith to replace the lock and create a new key. That way, the stolen keys will no longer work on your post box. 3) Wear and Tear The locking mechanisms of post boxes and letter boxes will not stay viable forever. There will come a point when the locking mechanisms stop working correctly due to wear and tear from years of usage. Have a professional locksmith replace the lock when the signs of wear and tear appear. Even if the lock is still functional, it is only a matter of time before it malfunctions. Take all signs of wear and tear seriously. Contact a Professional Locksmith SMS Locksmith offers fast, affordable, quality lock replacement services for post boxes, post rooms, and letter boxes. If you need to request this service, please call us at 020-3151-0531 to schedule an appointment. Please note that you must be the property owner or tenant authorized to access the post box, post room, or letter box. Our services cannot be used to access a box or room that you have no authority to use.
By Simon Gabriel October 30, 2023
Everyone expects their keys to work well with their locks. When you stick your key into a keyhole and turn the key to unlock a door or locking mechanism, you expect the latch to release immediately. Failure is not an option for the sake and security of your property. A healthy lock will never keep rotating indefinitely. A key requires you to apply a slight force as you turn it. Usually, a 90 or 180-degree turn of the key will unlock the lock. But what happens if your key keeps turning in the lock? Is that normal, or is there something wrong with the lock or key? Well, it is certainly not normal. A key keeps turning in a lock because a small component within the locking mechanism has suffered damage or wear. In most cases, the actuator is the component that has stopped functioning correctly. It is the component responsible for transmitting power when turning the key. This power transmits to the latch or deadbolt to lock or unlock it. If the actuator is damaged, worn out, detached, or broken, it cannot transmit the necessary turning force to lock or unlock the deadbolt. Instead, the key will feel looser with less resistance as you turn it. And the key won’t stop rotating after turning it 90 or 180 degrees. It will keep turning all the way around. Of course, different locks have varying components and mechanisms installed. Many small parts correspond with the actuator and help it function. For instance, Euro cylinders use a clip to secure the actuator firmly. But if the clip suffers wear or damage, it will release the actuator and prevent it from operating the deadbolt correctly. The best-case scenario is that some screws are loose in the locking mechanism. If you see the entire lock or cylinder rotate as you turn the key, you may only need to tighten some loose screws. But you won’t know for sure unless you contact a professional locksmith to evaluate the problem. It is better to be safe than sorry. Call a Professional A lock no longer works if your key keeps turning and turning without ever stopping. Sometimes, it could even cause you to be locked out of your home, garage, or building. The only way out of this situation is to contact a professional locksmith for an emergency lock repair or replacement service. One phone call to SMS Locksmith can resolve the issue quickly. We can send a professional and certified locksmith to your property to repair or replace your lock. If we determine the locking mechanism is outdated, we may recommend upgrading to a more advanced lock for better security and functionality. Call 020-3151-0531 for more information on our door lock repair and replacement services. We offer affordable prices on our locksmithing services for business owners and homeowners nationwide.
Show More
Share by: