Less than 2% of burglaries involve shimming or picking a lock. It's important to remember that burglary and robbery are different. Burglars intentionally enter a property without the lawful owner's consent to commit a felony or intent to steal.
Burglars may try a number of methods to try and gain access to your home, including picking your lock.
Picking a Lock
In order to pick a pin and tumbler lock, all a burglar must do is use special tools to align the pins until the lock can be turned and the door can be opened. The pick, which is a long, thin piece of metal, is used in conjunction with a tension wrench to align all the pins.
According to 2019 FBI Uniform Crime Reporting statistics, about 38% of burglaries involved nonforced “unlawful entry,” and only about 4% of these incidents involved lock-picking. Most home burglaries are sloppy, forced jobs involving screwdrivers, crowbars, and hammers.
It can take anywhere from 7 seconds to 45 minutes for a locksmith to pick open a lock. Generally a locksmith should be able to unlock most doors in about 10 minutes. Of course this is effected by the type of lock.
Look for locks that have a contoured shape for the internal pins or a side bar to help thwart any traditional lock-picking attempts on your home. You can also switch to one of the less common locks on the market, such as that of a dimple lock, tubular lock or rotating disc.
Australia. In Australia, possession of lock picking equipment is legal.
Since picking a lock requires a specific skill set to be successful, most burglars damage or remove doors and windows to gain entry when locked because it is faster and easier for them than using tools. Don't be fooled by what scriptwriters use for a dramatic effect.
Of course, people breaking into your home aren't likely to have keys, but the fact that the locks are so standardized makes them very easy to pick or bump. Once you learn how to pick a lock, you can pick pretty much any standard lock you come across.
Here are some of the top things burglars look for when targeting homes. Single-family detached homes in the middle of the neighborhood (as opposed to corner units, which are less likely to be burglarized). Homes next to empty lots or without nearby neighbors. High privacy hedges, bushes, and walls around the property.
These are the most common points of entry for home break-ins: Front door: 34% of burglars twist the doorknob and walk right in. First-floor windows: 23% use a first-floor open window to break into your home. Back door: 22% come in through the back door.
Remember that the vast majority of home invaders are chasing easy-to-sell valuables and aren't there with the intent of harming residents. According to the FBI, most burglars don't intentionally choose targets when residents are home, so they're surprised to discover people in the house.
Your attic is not likely to be visited by a burglar because they are usually hard to find and access. So, it is always a good idea to store valuables in attic storage containers. As an extra safety precaution make sure to mark them with labels like “winter clothes” or “old shoes” to throw a burglar off of your scent.
Instead of hunting around looking for keys, keys inside locks will provide a readily available solution to simply unlock the door and evacuate the premises. While this may be a good strategy to be used in emergencies, it also encourages burglars to easily break-in.
Home and garage doors should always be locked. Almost 50% of burglars enter homes and property through unlocked doors and windows. Use your locks. Never leave keys outdoors.
If you live on the first floor, they might break a window near ground level and crawl through it. Picking locks. Burglars can use lock-picking tools to get into locked doors or windows without damaging them too much. These tools allow them to open most locks without leaving evidence that they were there.
“Dangerous articles” are another types of weapon in Victoria and includes any lawful article such as a kitchen knife that becomes dangerous if used as a weapon. This can include golf clubs or hammers for instance. It's illegal to carry these articles in public with the intention to use it as a weapon.
It's a useful survival skill for not only yourself but for others who may need help. Get yourself out of hairy situations. Live or work in a sketchy area? The last thing you need is to be stuck outside of safe shelter at night.
Fashion a lock-pick using a long, thin item.
Unbent bobby pins or hair pins work best for picking a pin tumbler lock, but you can also use unbent heavy-duty paper clips or other stiff bits of wire. Create your pick by opening one of the bobby pins or paper clips until it's bent in half.
Deadbolts. A deadbolt is a type of door lock that is typically used to provide additional security. Unlike a spring bolt, which is held in place by tension, a deadbolt is a heavy-duty lock that is not easily forced open.
In the world of lock manufacturers, the name Abloy holds an exalted reputation. Their series of Abloy Protect 2 locks are near unpickable due to two key factors. The locks have advanced manipulation resistance, making them impossible to be picked.
Can a locksmith open a lock without breaking it? Yes, a locksmith can open your lock without damaging it, most locksmiths use a non-destructive way to open your door to enter the property ensuring no damage is done to the lock or door.