What lock snapping is
A euro cylinder is the part of the lock your key goes into. On many uPVC and composite doors it runs right through the door.
Older, basic cylinders have a weak point. With force, the cylinder can be snapped and the lock opened. An anti-snap cylinder is designed to resist this kind of attack.
What TS 007 means
TS 007 is a security standard for lock cylinders and door handles. It was developed by the Door & Hardware Federation and the Glass & Glazing Federation, with Secured by Design, the police crime prevention initiative.
The dhf describes two ways to reach the top level of protection:
- A TS 007 Kitemarked cylinder with three stars on its own.
- A TS 007 Kitemarked 1-star cylinder used with a TS 007 2-star Kitemarked armoured handle or lock surround.
How to check your own door
Open the door and look closely at the lock cylinder where the key goes in. A rated cylinder carries the Kitemark and its stars. Check the handle on the outside for stars too.
The dhf also says cylinders that meet the Sold Secure Diamond standard (SS312) reach the same level and are Secured by Design approved. You may see that mark instead.
If you cannot see any marks, or you are not sure, ask a member of the Master Locksmiths Association to check for you.
| What you see | What it means |
|---|---|
| TS 007 Kitemark and three stars on the cylinder | The top TS 007 level on the cylinder alone |
| TS 007 Kitemark and one star on the cylinder, two stars on the handle | The 3-star level, reached by the cylinder and handle together |
| Sold Secure Diamond (SS312) | The dhf says this reaches the same level as TS 007 3-star |
| No marks at all | Unknown. Ask a Master Locksmiths Association member to check |
If your lock is not rated
A locksmith can often fit a rated cylinder to your existing door. If the door itself is old, warped or draughty, a new door with a rated lock as standard may make more sense.
If your door was tested as a full door set, replace a lock with the same type, so you do not undo that test. Your installer or locksmith can advise.
How this fits with PAS 24 and new homes
PAS 24 is a separate British standard that tests a whole door or window against a break-in. Approved Document Q requires doors and windows on new homes in England to meet PAS 24 or an equivalent. Read our PAS 24 guide for more.
Sources
General facts on this page come from these official sources. Rules can change, so check the latest version before you rely on them.