Do Cylinder Locks In Doors Do Little More Than Keep Honest People Out?

[sandyRoe]

A recent daytime TV series featuring the work of the police showed a house that had been burgled. The crooks had gained access by attacking the door lock. Images of the damage had been pixilated so viewers couldn't see how it had been done.
An item on local news the other evening showed a pensioners house that had been attacked using what I guess was the same method. This time the damage was clear to see.
Am I correct in thinking cylinder locks offer little in the way of protection?

[The Builder]

I think it's much the same as with cars, Sandy. The more sophisticated the security, then the more "talented" the villains need to be. Cars still get stolen.

I guess the program was about "Euro locks", commonly fitted to uPVC doors. They are very secure, but there will always be someone... etc etc.

As with everything else, some of the tactics used are readily available on Youtube.

[Dizmo]

The Builder: Agreed. I learnt how to pick locks whilst at school. All the information I needed was on the internet. I did it because I was generally interested in the 'art' of lock picking.

At college I tested my abilities and had access to over 30 bedrooms (non in use). It scares me how insecure locks are.

[Dizmo]

Remember the **ll* *o*e*s cook book? That thing was lethal.

[Marshwarble]

Why do they always attack pensioners on these shows? Surely they usually attack more aspirational areas with younger people in?

[Marshwarble]

Even if they chose a house at random it probably wouldn't have pensioners (and it's usually 75 year old plus pensioners) in it.

[Dizmo]

Marshwarble: Houses aren't usually 'attacked' at random. Opportunists that try doors/windows to see if they are unlocked tend to do so irrespective of how old the occupant(s) is/are.

It's so much easier to burgle a pensioner - if you do come face to face with them there isn't going to be a great deal they can do unless they have a stick or something else to hit the person with. Even then you're not going to stop a young or middle'd aged person from fleeing the scene. It's sad really.

[Marshwarble]

Sorry for being sceptical, but I think they show pensioners simply because it seems sad. As I say above some robbers act at random and some look for the more affluent (and younger). Okay there are a number who target pensioners but not as much as these shows lead you to believe.