Lock Change After a Break-In
A break-in is a shock — even if the intruder never made it past the hallway. Whether you have come home to a forced front door on Wingletye Lane or discovered signs of an attempted entry round the back of your property in Harold Wood, the first priority is exactly the same: getting your locks changed the same day so you can sleep safely tonight. Hornchurch Locksmith is a 24/7 mobile lock change service covering Hornchurch and the surrounding area, and we send a trained, insured technician straight to your address — usually within about 30 minutes of your call.
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week · Fully insured
This page explains what to do in the immediate aftermath of a burglary or attempted entry, what a same-day door lock change involves, and how our emergency lock change service works from first call to finished job. If you need us now, call 020 3757 6053 — we answer around the clock, every day of the year including bank holidays.
What we do
Available 24/7
Day, night, weekends and bank holidays — a real local locksmith answers and sends a fully-stocked van.
We come straight away
Based in Hornchurch, we send a locksmith straight away — we're usually with you in about 30 minutes.
Fully insured
Vetted locksmiths, a clear price on the phone, and no surprise add-ons when we arrive.
Damage-free entry
We pick and bypass locks the right way, so most lockouts are solved without drilling anything.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to what our customers ask most. Still unsure? Just call.
How quickly can you get to me in Hornchurch after a break-in?+
We send a technician straight away from the moment you call 020 3757 6053, and we are usually with you in about 30 minutes. We cannot guarantee an exact arrival time — Hornchurch traffic on the A124 or around the Gallows Corner junction can vary — but we will keep you updated while you wait. We are available around the clock, 365 days a year.
Will you give me a price before you start work?+
Yes, always. When you call, we ask about your door type, the number and type of locks involved, and your address. Based on that, we confirm a fixed quote before anyone travels to you. The factors that influence the final figure include the lock or cylinder specification you choose, any parts needed beyond the basic cylinder, the time of day, and travel distance. There are no surprise charges added after the job.
My uPVC door lock was damaged during the break-in — can you replace the whole multipoint lock the same day?+
In most cases, yes. uPVC door lock repair and full multipoint lock replacement are among the most common jobs we carry out in Hornchurch. We carry a range of multipoint lock bodies and euro cylinders suitable for the most common uPVC and composite door profiles in this area. If your specific door requires an unusually specialist part, we will tell you honestly on arrival rather than fit something that does not suit the door properly.
Do I need to tell my landlord or letting agent before you change the lock?+
If you are a tenant, you should inform your landlord or letting agent as soon as possible — ideally before the work is carried out. In practice, after a confirmed break-in with a police crime reference number, most letting agents and housing associations will want the lock changed immediately and will arrange reimbursement or attend to it themselves. If you are unsure, call us anyway — we can advise on the spot and, where needed, provide documentation of the work carried out for your insurer or agent.
What is cylinder snapping, and should I be worried about it on my Hornchurch door?+
Cylinder snapping is a method used by burglars to defeat standard euro cylinders — the type fitted to most uPVC and composite doors — by applying force to the outer portion of the cylinder until it breaks, exposing the internal cam and allowing the door to be opened within seconds. It is a genuine and documented risk on many residential doors across the RM11 and RM12 areas. The solution is an anti-snap cylinder rated to TS007 3-star. If your door currently has a standard cylinder, we strongly recommend upgrading at the same time as your emergency lock change — it is a straightforward swap that significantly raises the difficulty of a repeat attempt.
Can you handle a lock change for a commercial property in Hornchurch, not just a house?+
Yes. Our lock change service covers commercial premises as well as residential properties throughout Hornchurch and the surrounding area. A commercial lock change after a break-in or attempted entry follows the same process — a technician attends, assesses the doors and frames, confirms a quote before work begins, and fits appropriate locks for the door type. If you manage multiple units or need to coordinate with a facilities or maintenance team, call 020 3757 6053 and we can discuss the most practical approach for your site.