LockRite Locksmith Andover News & Updates

Thieves are using stickers advertising a fictitious local locksmith company to mark homes which are an 'easy target'. The criminals carry out a preliminary reconnaissance on the area and mark houses which are deemed as having poor security measures in place. They later return to break into the houses which have already been marked as targets. The authorities are advising residents to remove the stickers immediately if they see any on their doors or windows. Is your home secure?  Call us today on 01264 315323 to arrange a security check on your premises. You can read more about this story at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-24994148

There are several good reasons why you should consider choosing LockRite when looking for a locksmith in Andover.

• All our locksmiths are DBS (CRB) checked which means they do not have a hidden criminal past.
• The price quoted is the price you pay. We do not artificially inflate prices on the doorstep like some unscrupulous locksmith companies.
• LockRite is a national and trusted brand but all our locksmiths are self employed individuals who live within, or close to, your area.  By choosing LockRite you are choosing to support local business, keeping money within your local economy.
• If it is an emergency we can usually be on our way to you immediately and we will show up (unlike some companies who say they will but don't, wasting your time).

There are many factors to consider when choosing a locksmith in Andover.  Our checklist below should help you when making a decision.

• Check the locksmith is DBS (CRB) checked.  This will reveal whether they have a hidden criminal past.  You need someone you can trust working with your home security, so if they do not have a clean DBS (CRB) check walk away.
• Check the price quoted is what you will pay.  Many locksmiths will quote one price on the phone only to bump the price up dramatically once the work has been undertaken.  Make sure you know what you will be paying before work commences and sign something agreeing to the charges.
• Make sure you are happy with what the locksmith says regarding your home security and don't be pressurised into an expensive upsell.  Not all locks are equal, and some cheaper locks do not provide adequate security for home insurance purposes so make sure if you're having new locks installed they are right for you.
• Always use a trusted locksmith with a decent reputation and accountability.  There are many rogue traders who just want to rip customers off.  Check their websites for testimonials and guarantees.  If anything looks or feels dodgy, walk away and find another locksmith.
• Call their advertised number and see how long it takes them to answer.  If calls are left ringing with no answer or diverts to voicemail numerous times it could indicate they will be difficult to get hold of if there is a problem with their work.  Use a locksmith who answers their phone!

Hopefully this checklist will help you to choose the best Andover locksmith for your needs. All LockRite locksmiths are DBS (CRB) checked and will always confirm the price you will pay before commencing any work. Call 01264 315323 now for a free, no obligation quote.

Carefully consider where you hide your outside spare key. Avoid hiding places like over the door frame or beneath the doormat. Experienced criminals will check these places immediately. If the home you are moving into is not brand new, you should change the locks on all the doors. The person who used to live there may still have a key. Turn the ringers off on all your phones if you will be away for a prolonged period of time. If a burglar keeps hearing your phone ring, they'll know the home is not occupied, making it more likely for a break-in to occur.

Many of Britain’s van drivers could be putting themselves at risk of theft without the correct  level of insurance cover according to a survey by a leading insurance comparison website. Approximately 65% of van owners surveyed, which included many small businesses, said they used their vans to transport tools, goods or equipment and over half of those surveyed said they left items in their vehicles overnight. Approximately 10% of those surveyed also admitted to selecting the 'social only' insurance level to reduce insurance costs which would not be adequate for a business/commercial insurance claim. Van drivers put their vehicles at risk of theft

Home security should be a concern for anyone, particularly those with children or those in a high crime area. Even if you are on a budget, there are steps you can take to feel safer. Read the tips in this article to learn more about improving your home's security and safety. While home security systems are effective in most cases, many robberies are committed during daylight hours when the home is not vacant. In this case, the security system may not be activated so no warning would be sounded. Most burglars enter the home at some other point than the front door. If you have a large dog, that will usually deter a burglar from entering your home. This is why you should give them this illusion, even if there is no dog on your property. You should place a sign in your yard that warns about a dangerous dog. Most burglars won't take a chance on this. If you buy a home which already has an alarm system in place, call the company to find out if there are any upgrades available. Sometimes new home owners can get great deals when they move in, giving them better hardware, a few free months of monitoring and more. A time-tested way to know your home is safe when you're not there is to let your neighbours know you're going away. They can keep watch over your home to ensure nothing is going on which shouldn't be. They can also collect flyers, newspapers and mail for you, all of which can alert burglars that you're not home. As said in the beginning of the article, there are several reasons why someone may become concerned about the safety of their home. Instead of hoping fate is on your side, take cautionary steps to increase safety. Remember the tips in this article if you want to make yourself feel safer at home.

When calling a locksmith it is important to know what type of lock needs fixing or replacing.  Use our visual guide below to identify your particular lock type. Wood Door uPVC Door Aluminium Door

The latest UK crime statistics show an alarming rise in vehicle thefts involving the use of a key with 25 percent of all stolen vehicles now being taken with the original key or a cloned copy. It is important to lock your car, even when kept in a garage, and ensure your car keys are kept out of sight from the opportunist thief as a car which is stolen with the use of a key is unlikely to be covered in the event of an insurance claim.

As summer approaches and the days get warmer it is natural to leave windows open and doors ajar to keep homes cooler.  Unfortunately this can be an open invitation to the "sneak-in" opportunist burglar who will take advantage of open doors and windows and make off with small, expensive items such as mobile phones and laptops, or even a set of house keys to return later when the house is empty or everyone is asleep. If a burglary takes place without any visible signs of forced entry it can invalidate insurance claims, so it is important to remain security conscious in the summer.  One way to help prevent "sneak-in" burglaries is to install door security chains and window restrictors.  This allows doors and windows to be left open slightly while offering enough security to deter an opportunist thief. Call your local Andover locksmith on 01264 315323 today to discuss your home security needs.

Do you know how many sets of keys are in circulation to your new home? How many generations of people have lived there? Do they still have keys? Do you trust they will never return or pass on those keys? Don't take any chances, change your locks today!  We can supply and fit brand new front and rear locks at a very reasonable price.  Call now for a free, no obligation quote.

When it comes to something as sensitive as securing your property you need to be 100% sure you can trust the person doing the job, so when it comes to choosing a locksmith in Andover you probably can't do better than choosing LockRite, and here's why:

• We are a nationally recognised and respected brand with a local locksmith who lives in, or near Andover and in most cases, can be with you within 30-60 minutes.
• Our local Andover locksmith is fully trained in the latest non destructive entry techniques, is CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checked and always carries photo ID so you know when you book a LockRite locksmith you are booking a trustworthy professional.
• All work is 100% guaranteed with 12 months guarantee on all parts and 90 days guarantee on all workmanship.
• Call us now on 01264 315323 for a competitive quote and peace of mind you are dealing with a company that cares about your security.

Home security is always worth considering, and even more so if you happen to live in an area which is prone to crime.  The website www.police.uk has an online, interactive map which shows you crime and burglary levels in your area.

No matter what the problem, whether you are locked in or locked out, if you need your locks changed or re-keyed or if you just need new keys cut, we come to you.  We can be with you within 30 minutes* and all work is fully guaranteed with 12 months on parts and 90 days on all labour. Don't risk your hard earned cash on a cheap locksmith with no accountability as many of these use questionable sales tactics and cheap, sub-standard parts.  Choose LockRite and get it done 'Rite' first time! Call 01264 315323 now

The dangers of lock snapping were recently discussed on the One Show (7th March 2012) and the advice is to ensure the locks on your uPVC doors are designed to withstand this kind of forced entry. Lock snapping is a technique used by burglars where uPVC locks are literally snapped in half allowing quick access to your property.  Unfortunately this type of forced entry is becoming more and more commonplace, and many homes with uPVC doors in the Andover area are susceptible to this kind of attack unless the locks have been upgraded with anti-snap cylinders. We can provide anti-snap, anti-bump and anti-pick locks for your doors.  Call us now on 01264 315323 for a free, no obligation quote.