Doors and locks

Doors stop intruders getting in - and getting out with your possessions. Here is a security checklist to help make sure your doors and locks are up to the job.

• Get advice from a police crime prevention officer before you fit locks - the best kind will depend on the type of doors you have.
• Make sure external doors and frames are strong and in good condition Doors should be solid core construction - 44mm thick.
• Fit security deadlocks, which can only be operated with a key, to front doors. These should conform to BS3621 (required by most insurers). There are two main kinds: a mortise deadlock, which fits into the door, and a deadlocking rim lock, which fixes on to the door.
• Position rim locks a third of the way down the door and mortises a third of the way up.
• External doors should have three four-inch hinges
• Consider fitting a metal reinforcement (London) bar, and a similar device (Birmingham bar) near the hinges.
• Fit strong bolts top and bottom of any external doors that you don't use often.
• Keep keys well away from the locked doors.