Lockforce Latest News

We’re Excited to Welcome Vicky Harker to Lockforce Gloucestershire!

Vicky Harker is your local female locksmith, helping homeowners and businesses across Gloucestershire stay safe and secure.

Born in Gloucester, Vicky now lives in Quedgeley with her wife, Michelle, and their Springer Spaniel, Bailey. She brings 15 years of commercial construction experience, including 10 years as a Project Manager specialising in aluminium doors, windows and curtain walling.

That background gave Vicky practical experience with locks, handles and door installations, alongside a passion for solving problems and doing each job properly.

Whether you are locked out, need replacement locks or have a door that will not close securely, Vicky offers straightforward advice and careful workmanship, backed by the trusted Lockforce name.

Outside work, Vicky enjoys canal walks with Bailey, camper van trips, live music and rugby. She has also played hockey for Gloucester and Cheltenham and holds a black belt in kickboxing.

Need a reliable locksmith in Gloucestershire? Call Vicky today on 01452 470 142 or visit: https://www.lockforce.co.uk/locksmith/Gloucester/.

We’re Excited to Welcome Jose da Costa to Lockforce South West London!

Jose da Costa is your local locksmith, helping homeowners and businesses across South West London stay safe and secure.

Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Jose has lived in London since 2003. He lives with his wife, son and their Lhasa Apso, Peggy. With his son involved in Wimbledon Rugby Club and Dundonald United FC, the family has strong connections to the local community.

As a child, Jose wanted to become a firefighter because he liked the idea of helping people. That motivation has stayed with him. Through locksmithing, he helps customers who may be locked out, feeling stressed or concerned about their property’s security.

When you call, you speak directly to Jose, who explains the problem, your options and the price before work begins. Whether you need a lock repaired, replacement locks or help getting back indoors, you can expect a friendly, calm and honest approach, backed by the trusted Lockforce name.

Outside work, Jose enjoys padel, squash, walking Peggy and family picnics, as well as taking part in Wimbledon Park parkrun. For him, the best part of the job is solving a problem and leaving someone feeling safer and more at ease.

Need a reliable locksmith in South West London? Call Jose today on 020 8088 5725 or visit: https://www.lockforce.co.uk/locksmith/SouthWestLondon/.

We’re excited to announce that Lockforce Northampton has officially opened its doors, with local locksmith Steve Murray now helping homeowners and businesses across Northamptonshire stay safe and secure.

We’re excited to announce that Lockforce Medway has officially opened its doors, with local locksmith Richard now helping homeowners and businesses across Medway and the surrounding ME areas stay safe and secure.

Born and raised in Kent, Richard has a genuine connection to the community he serves. After six years in the Army and several years working in construction, he brings discipline, reliability, practical problem-solving skills and strong attention to detail to every job.

Whether you are locked out, need your locks changed or want to improve the security of your property, Richard is here to help. Customers can expect honest advice, respectful service and careful workmanship, all backed by the trusted Lockforce name.

📞 Need a reliable locksmith in Medway? Call Richard today on 01474 312 045 or visit:
https://www.lockforce.co.uk/locksmith/Medway/

We’re excited to announce that Lockforce has officially expanded into Staffordshire, with experienced locksmith Martin Randle now covering Stafford and the surrounding areas.

With a background in law enforcement, Martin brings a friendly, professional approach and is committed to keeping homes and businesses across the county safe and secure. Whether you’re locked out, need your locks changed, or want to improve your home security, Martin is here to help — backed by the trusted Lockforce name.

📞 Need a reliable locksmith in Staffordshire? Call Martin today on 01785 596 180 or visit: www.lockforce.co.uk/locksmith/Stafford/

A Personal Message from Sean Taylor, Managing Director of Lockforce UK

Maybe you’re like me?

I don’t worry about much but one of my biggest fears has always been the safety and security of my family (and, to a lesser extent, our belongings).

Like many homeowners and parents, I think of my family whenever I’m away. Sadly, I’ve been unlucky enough to experience a break-in twice well, one and a half times despite living in what most people would call a safe, well-off neighbourhood.

Crime data once suggested we were “low risk,” but statistics mean little when you’re stood on the stairs at 2am, hearing noises from downstairs… or when you feel cold air coming through a door that’s been forced open. Those moments stay with you.

That’s why I want to share my best home security tips not to sell you locks or alarms, but to help you protect your home and your loved ones with simple, effective advice you can use right now.

Most of this is common sense, but burglaries often happen when we make a careless mistake, get complacent, or think “it’ll never happen to me.”

When Do Most Burglaries Happen?

It’s a myth that most burglaries happen in the middle of the night.
In reality, the majority occur in broad daylight — particularly mid-morning to early afternoon when homes are empty.

Other break-ins happen in early evening hours, when it’s dark outside and homes are still empty, with no lights on.

Burglars are opportunists. They look for the easy targets:

• Unlocked doors or open windows

• Dimly lit or overgrown entrances

• Signs that nobody’s home

The good news is that you can make your home far less appealing to a potential burglar with a few straightforward changes.

10 Simple Home Security Tips Every Homeowner Should Follow

1. Always lock doors and windows properly – Don’t just pull them shut. Turn the key, lift the handle, and make sure bolts are engaged.

2. Keep keys out of sight and reach – Don’t leave them on hall tables or near letterboxes. Burglars use hooks and rods. (See Tip #13 for a fix.)

3. Close curtains and blinds at night – Avoid giving people a view of your valuables.

4. Use timers on lights or radios – Helps make your home look lived-in when you’re out.

5. Trim hedges and bushes – Visible doors and windows discourage burglars.

6. Be smart on social media – Wait until you return home to post about holidays or nights away.

7. Mark your valuables – Use a UV pen or marking kit with your postcode to help police identify stolen property.

8. Lock away ladders and tools – Don’t make it easy for burglars to access upper floors.

9. Avoid hiding spare keys outdoors – If necessary, install a police-approved key safe (we recommend The Key Safe Company).

10. Get to know your neighbours – A friendly, observant neighbour is one of the best deterrents you can have.

9 Expert Locksmith Tips Most Homeowners Overlook

11. Reinforce the door frame – Use longer screws in strike plates and hinges. The frame is often the weakest point.

12. Use more than one lock – A mortice lock plus a night latch provides double protection and slows intruders down.

13. Fit a letterbox cage or restrictor – Prevents burglars reaching through with hooks or rods.

14. Secure patio and sliding doors – Use anti-lift devices or security bars to prevent forced entry.

15. Lock and bolt side gates – Burglars often target the back of properties where they can’t be seen.

16. Don’t overlook small windows – Cloakroom or bathroom windows can be easy access points if left open.

17. Maintain your locks – Replace stiff, worn, or faulty locks early. They’re easier to force and may fail in an emergency.

18. Watch for “door testing” – Some burglars try front doors during the day to see if anyone forgot to lock up.

19. Secure sheds and garages – These are prime targets for tools and bikes. Fit strong padlocks and motion-sensor lights.

The Layered Approach to Home Security

No single lock, alarm, or camera can fully protect your home. Real security comes from layers of protection — each one adding time, noise, and difficulty for an intruder.

The harder your home is to access, the more likely a burglar is to give up and move on.

At Lockforce UK, we call this “the layered defence method” — combining simple daily habits with professional-grade security upgrades to make your home a far less appealing target.

Final Thoughts from Lockforce UK

I’ve been on both sides of this — as a locksmith helping families after break-ins, and as a homeowner who’s experienced it first-hand.

I know how important it is to feel safe in your own home.

These tips aren’t complicated, and they don’t require expensive equipment. They’re practical, proven, and they work.

Because at the end of the day, home security isn’t about fear — it’s about reassurance, confidence, and peace of mind knowing your family and home are safe.

Keeping You Safe,

Sean Taylor

Managing Director 

Lockforce UK

Every year, locksmiths from across the country head to the MLA (Master Locksmith Association) Expo – the UK’s biggest locksmithing and security event – to discover the latest innovations shaping how we keep homes and businesses secure.

This year, one product stole the show.

And when the news travelled back to the office, even our Managing Director immediately placed an order to upgrade the locks on his own family home.

The Lightbulb Moment

You know that feeling when something just clicks?
That’s exactly what happened when we got hands-on with the brand-new Ultion Plus with ALPS Technology from Brisant Secure.

It wasn’t just impressive on paper — it was impressive in person.
The engineering. The design. The security. The reassurance.

We saw enough in those few minutes at the Expo to make a decision there and then:
We’d be fitting it in our own homes.

Because if we’re recommending a lock to our customers, it needs to be good enough for our own families too.

Our Managing Director has already ordered his set of Ultion Plus ALPS cylinders — and yes, he’s paying for them himself 😊.

ALPS stands for Advanced Lock Protection System — the latest innovation from Ultion, designed to take home security to another level.

This isn’t a minor upgrade or a marketing gimmick. It’s a genuine leap forward, built to stop every known forced-entry technique currently used by burglars across the UK.

Why It Turned Heads at the MLA Expo

• LPS 1175 Certified – Independently tested and proven to resist sustained forced-entry attacks.
• SnapStop™ Protection – Instantly blocks the cylinder core if a snapping attack is attempted.
• TwistTrap™ Mechanism – Automatically engages a locking trap when twist attacks are detected.
• Thermal Resistance – Built to resist new “thermal manipulation” methods where heat is used to weaken locks.
• Molybdenum Core – 25 % denser than iron, providing extreme durability and resistance to cutting or drilling.
• Thicker Keys & Key Control – Ultion keys are 60 % thicker than standard and protected against unauthorised copying.
• £5,000 Security Guarantee – A level of confidence rarely seen in the industry — backed by Ultion itself.

Quite simply, the Ultion Plus with ALPS is designed for the attacks of tomorrow, not yesterday.

Practice What You Preach

We always tell customers: a lock is only as strong as the threats it’s built to stop.

That’s why, after seeing the Ultion Plus with ALPS Technology in action, many of our Lockforce locksmiths didn’t just take notes — they took one home.

Knowing our own doors are protected by the same cutting-edge security we recommend to our customers? That’s priceless.

Why It Matters

Burglars are evolving.
Lock-snapping, drilling, bumping, twisting, and even heat-based attacks are all on the rise — and traditional three-star cylinders don’t always stop them.

The Ultion Plus ALPS goes further.
It’s been independently tested to Sold Secure Diamond and LPS 1175 standards, making it one of the very few locks in the UK proven to withstand all modern methods of forced entry.

For homeowners, that means genuine peace of mind — knowing your lock isn’t just rated highly on paper, but battle-tested in the lab and in the field.

What Other Locksmiths Say

There will always be a locksmith who’ll pick holes (no pun intended) in any lock on the market — and then declare, “it isn’t very good!”.

Good locksmiths study new locks to understand how they work — because that’s the craft. But it’s worth remembering: these tests are performed by trained professionals, not the average burglar or opportunist.

From a homeowner’s perspective, the key takeaway is this:
Any 3-Star rated lock has been through rigorous testing to earn its Kite Mark — and the Ultion Plus ALPS carries the highest rating available.

Some locksmiths will argue that the latest bypass or attack methods are uncommon. That may be true — but do you really want to take that chance?

Family Comes First

At the end of the day, it’s not about fancy mechanisms or clever acronyms — it’s about protecting what matters most.

Every Lockforce locksmith is also a homeowner, a parent, a partner.
We know the feeling of locking up at night and wanting that absolute reassurance that your family and your home are safe.

That’s why we don’t just fit any lock.
We fit — and recommend — the best.
And right now, that’s the Ultion Plus with ALPS Technology.

Ready to Upgrade?

If you’d like to upgrade your home security or learn more about Ultion’s latest innovation, talk to your local Lockforce locksmith today.

We’ll assess your doors, recommend the best solution for your property, and fit it professionally — giving you the same level of protection we choose for ourselves.

👉 Find your local Lockforce Locksmith
👉 Learn more about Ultion Plus with ALPS Technology

Because peace of mind shouldn’t be optional.
It should be built in.