SE23 Forum

Hi everyone

I have only just moved into the area and am very sorry to say that unfortunately I was burgled on Sunday night. The only thing which was taken was my Mac laptop and the police said that there have been many reports of similar burglaries taking place nearby (I live near Forest Hill School). Apparently the burglars come round in the early hours of the morning while people are asleep trying doors to see if there are any which arent double locked and then take anything they can quickly get their hands on. I have an almost new PVC door which automatically locks when you put the handle up but apparently there is a weakness in this door which can be exploited to open it using a screwdriver. If you have a similar door you must remember to double lock it using the key on the inside to prevent this from happening.

I do hope that there are not too many others who have had a similar misfortune!

Sophie

Sorry to read this, but glad nobody was hurt.

I don't think so!

Putting the handle up only engages the locking tabs it doesn't lock the door. You must turn the key to lock it, from the inside as well as the outside. If you don't turn the key the villain doesn't need a screwdriver he just needs to push the handle down.

Not necessarily. My external handle is never engaged so you can only open from the outside with a key whether the door's "locked" or not.

The door was locked by putting the handle up but only by the one bolt and not all 5. The burglar clearly knew this type of door and so used a screwdriver to get round the bolt. I will definitely be double locking my door from now on!

My external handle is never engaged so you can only open from the outside with a key whether the door's "locked" or not.

I have been following a similar topic on another Forum and this is a quote from a locksmith about these type of door locks, and reinforces what I said previously.

Sorry to hear about your Burglary. We were burgled 24/1 at night despite all doors being locked with security lights. The lights were disabled by knocking the motion sensor so it faced the wall. The doors were smashed four racing bikes stolen (see other post) The local community policeman said the moving of the sensor he has noticed in a number of recent burglaries. If they See what they want even a locked door does not stop them.

I have received the victim support booklet through my letterbox today as there have been burglaries in my area.