Homes vulnerable as thieves pick locks

Thieves in inner Sydney had become skilled in “manipulating locks” to gain entry to cars and dwellings during a spike in break-and-enter offences over January and February, according to Kings Cross Superintendent Tony Crandall.

Large blocks of flats were being targeted with thieves also using vice-clamps to break open door locks. Flats without deadlocks were more vulnerable.

While there were more break-ins in the City East, Rose Bay had experienced even more break-ins and Kings Cross had loaned Rose Bay some officers to help with the workload. Rose Bay’s recent crime wave included a newsagent being held up by two men armed with swords, stolen cars, an elderly woman being mugged and an armed holdup of a newsagent.

Even deadlocks can be picked according to Dean Milosauljevic of Bells Locksmiths. Residents however can pick-proof their doorlocks by installing a restricted security barrel with a keyway. These locks, often seen on the street entries of security apartment blocks, have a special key that can’t be copied. Such a lock would cost about $260 installed or about $170 if the old lock barrel was brought into the locksmith (leaving someone in residence to secure the dwelling!). The purchaser’s identification details are recorded.

Lost keys of this type can be replaced only where the lock was bought, and ID is required.