11 Methods of Entry Used by Burglars

 In Burglary, Forced Entry, Home Security

Burglars and other intruders use a number of ways to gain access to a secured property. Here we briefly explain 10 common methods of entry a burglar or intruder might use. All these methods can be protected against with solutions appropriate to the property and users or owners. Contact Mobile Locksmith St. John’s to have your property accessed and protected from burglary and home invasion.

break-in

A door that is pried open.

Here are the 11 entry methods:

1. Wrenching

When a wrench or similar tool is used to apply rotational force to a lock in order to break set-screws or mounting bolts exposing the internal mechanism to manipulation or to damage internal structure and retract a bolt or spring loaded latch-bolt.

2. Prying

Prying attacks on the door force the frame and/or door to bend or break, freeing the bolt from the cavity of the frame. Prying attacks are also directed on the lock in an attempt to free it from the door or gain space for manipulation of internal mechanism.

3. Kicking

Force directed directly toward the face of the door to break the bolt free from the frame. Usually resulting in the frame breaking around the bolt cavity and the door breaking around the lock.

4. Hammering

Force directed upon the lock hardware in attempt to remove it for manipulation of the internal mechanism. Hammering holes through doors and walls is another way burglars gain entry.

5. Sawing

Sawing through lock hardware such as a hasp, padlock shackle or exposed deadbolt. Sawing around the lock also occurs as well as sawing through doors, gates and walls.

6. Ice Pick Through Door

An attack directed at the internal mechanism of a lock through the door directly where the lock is mounted. Through the damage or by manipulation through the entry the bolt is retracted.

7. Lever Forcing

Forcefully retracting the latch bolt of a locked lever set.

8. Reaching

Reaching through an access point with or without the help of an object or tool to manipulate the inside release of the lock.

9. Lock Bumping

Using an appropriate key blank cut specifically for this purpose together with a tapping motion to manipulate the parts of the key-way. No obvious signs of detection are usually left.

10. Lock Picking

Lock picking is a skilled manipulation of the parts of the key-way. Usually no obvious signs of detection are left but a manipulated lock may be detected if not reset to it’s original position.

11. Power Tools

Power tool attacks such as drilling lock hardware off or drilling locks unlocked and then opening or sawing off or around locks also occur as well as less common attacks involving cutting torches, explosives and chemicals.

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