Unless you are a locksmith or work in the uPVC industry, the chances are you've never heard of BS3261 certification. However, it's vital that any locks you buy for your home conform as a minimum to this standard, not only to ensure that you meet the needs of your insurance policy but also to ensure that your home is as secure as possible.

The BS3621 certification is controlled by the British Standards Institution (BSI). Over 120 years old, the BSI set out to ensure that services and products meet the expectations of quality, safety, and reliability and you will have no doubt seen the famous BSI kitemark logo on many products, including many household items such as plugs and fire alarms.

There are a number of criteria for a BS3621 certified lock including the lock having  minimum of 5 levers, the screws to the door being inaccessible when the door is shut, the lock covered by a metal plate to protect it from drilling, the bolt at the right length and the bolt being completely activated before the lock can be removed.

If you are not sure that your locks comply to this standard, then look out for the British Kite symbol. This is the easiest way to tell, although you can always come and see us for advice. Look out also for BS8621 and BS10621 which cover slightly different sorts of locks (one needs a key for entry only and not exit and the other only has a lock on one side). 

We have a range of locks which conform to British Safety Standards in store along with anti-snap locks, the most secure type of lock you can get on the market, so rather than risk your home security by buying online, why not pop in store and see what we have to offer. 

Welcome to our new website for Leeds Lock Centre. Focusing on quality of service, we are available for 24/7 emergency callouts, but for all other locksmith and security requirements encourage customers to come and visit us instore.

We don't sell online because we recognise that each person's needs are different and we want to offer you the very best product and key for your needs.

For example, just last week we had a customer come in for a new car key as her spare one had broken. We asked to have a look and were able to repair it, saving her over a hundred pounds on the cost of a new key! Now that's the kind of thing we can do in store, as well as assess your security requirements and offer the best solutions.

We also offer call outs and free site surveys in the Leeds postcode area, so if you are unsure of your needs, have a broken lock, or want to improve your home security, give us a call and book your visit.

Of course, if you are further afield, we can cut most of types of keys and offer a postal service. Having a vast range of machinery we have even cut bespoke keys for other locksmiths around the country, so don't hesitate to call us on 0113 225 9388 and we will do our best to help.

Smart locks are sold as devices that can make getting in your home more convenient but security researchers found a vulnerability that makes it easy for hackers and thieves to do the same. 

A Finland-based security company has discovered a flaw with the 'KeyWe smart lock which markets itself as the 'Smartest Lock Ever!' being sold widely on mazon for around £150.

The door is unlocked through a mobile app, which may sound convenient,  found that potential hackers could intercept network traffic between the mobile app and the smart lock, essentially stealing the keys to someone's home electroniclly.

Whilst the messages between the mobile app and the lock are encrypted, researchers have found that they could intercept the key generator itself.

This is not the only concern. Smart doorbells and other devices have come under scrutiny in recent months with weak passwords making them easily hackable, factory defaults hijackable; excessive data collection and a lack of data encryption, meaning attackers could lift Wi-Fi password details to hijack other devices on the home network.

The bottom line is, security should trump convenience, so consider your option carefully when it comes to securing your home. we offer  range of secure locks and security systems, including CCTV, so if you re looking for the ultimate in home, office or business security, Leeds Lock Centre will offer honest and practical advise - now that's got to beat an unknown system purchased online anyday!