Door locks easily cracked

The trade offers various types of retrofit door security devices to protect against burglars. The Stiftung Warentest tested

• four crossbar locks that lock a door across its entire width
• three bar locks for locking from top to bottom
• four additional box locks as additional deadbolts for the lock side of the door
• four hinge locks designed to prevent levering on the hinge side

On the test bench, the locks and deadbolts had to show how stable they are, how they can be installed and operated, and above all whether they can withstand attacks with simple burglary tools such as screwdrivers.

9 out of 15 fuses are defective

The result is alarming, as "Warentest" emphasizes: Nine security devices are defective - at least one in each category. None of the additional box locks can be recommended - burglars have an easy time with them. However, there were also good and very good results: some of the cross bolts, bar locks and hinge locks tested could be used to reliably protect doors from uninvited guests. Two of the cross bolts had an additional locking bar. This makes sense, as it allows the locked door to be opened a crack.

Crime statistics show that burglars are increasingly failing. Around 40% of burglary attempts now remain unsuccessful, the organization writes. "test.de" tested 15 retrofittable door security devices, including crossbar locks, bar locks, additional box locks and band security devices. The result is alarming, because every second "bulwark" is quickly cracked. And that at prices of up to 695 euros.

Many locks picked after less than a minute

Burglars don't usually linger with a door for three to five minutes, according to police experience. Then the risk of being discovered becomes too great, and the burglars move on. To pass the test, each door security device had to withstand a static load test as well as a tool attack lasting three minutes. In total, the "product test burglar" had 15 minutes for each lock to rest in between. However, he said that so much time was rarely necessary - he had cracked the defective models after less than a minute. This is all the more frightening, he says, because some of the locks are expensive: 78 euros for band locks, up to 155 euros for additional box locks and up to 695 euros for crossbar and rod locks - in some cases plus the cost of accessories such as lock cylinders. Added to this is the installation.

When retrofitting doors, it is important that all door elements and additional security devices are sensibly coordinated in their effect, as "test.de" writes. It recommends obtaining information from a police advice center before making a purchase.

Assembly is a matter for professionals

Some of the door locks tested caused problems during installation, for example because the instructions were incomplete or missing, according to the "test.de" report. But even with good instructions, laymen were quickly overwhelmed with the installation. Important information is often missing from the packages, for example on the tools required or on the requirements for door elements and building fabric. In principle, it is recommended to place the installation of burglar-resistant technology in the hands of experts.

The article "Door locks", test 02/2016, can be here be ordered.