FORT SECURELOCKSMITHS · SECURITY
01273 063427
Advice & guides

Locksmith advice from people who've actually fitted the lock.

No filler, no scare-pieces, no listicles. Practical posts written by working locksmiths in Lewes, mostly answering questions we get asked at the doorstep.

Charlotte Dalton··12 min read

Home Insurance Lock Requirements | Check Before You Claim

The policy small print that voids break-in claims: final exit doors, window lock clauses, and why like-for-like replacements can leave you non-compliant.

Read article
Jane Bramwell··7 min read

When You Don't Need a Locksmith | Honest Advice From One

Half the people who ring me don't actually need me. Here's when a stiff door, a sticky lock or a dragging hinge is a five-minute fix you can do yourself.

Read article
Charlotte Dalton··4 min read

uPVC Door Repair vs Replace Cost | The Ten-Year Maths

Full door replacement vs servicing the gearbox and cylinder twice a decade. Real costs, a clear table, and how to spend the money sensibly on a uPVC door.

Read article
Jane Bramwell··6 min read

Are Cheap Padlocks Any Good | Fine on a Gate, Not on a Shed

CEN grades, shackle types and Sold Secure ratings explained. A Lewes locksmith on where a cheap padlock is fine and where it's a false economy.

Read article
Charlotte Dalton··6 min read

Cheap vs Expensive Lock Upgrades | What Stops a Break-In

A locksmith's honest take on why hinge bolts and a 3-star cylinder outperform a £900 smart lock for stopping a break-in on a Lewes home.

Read article
Charlotte Dalton··6 min read

Anti-Snap vs Anti-Bump vs Anti-Pick | What Actually Happens

UK burglary stats show snap, bump and pick attacks are not equally common. Here's how to prioritise your lock spend based on what actually happens.

Read article
Jane Bramwell··4 min read

Burglar Alarm vs Locks Priority | Spend in the Right Order

Alarms tell you a burglar is already inside. Locks stop them getting in. A Lewes locksmith makes the case for spending in the right order.

Read article
Jane Bramwell··6 min read

High Security Locks Worth It | Why Most Buy the Wrong Thing

Most homeowners buy anti-pick and anti-bump locks while leaving a snappable cylinder in the door. A Lewes locksmith explains what matters first.

Read article
Nicholas Eastwood··10 min read

East Sussex Commercial Burglary | What Bexhill Means for You

Sussex Police appealed for witnesses after a Bexhill commercial burglary spree on 6-7 June 2025. What East Sussex business owners should do this week.

Read article
Charlotte Dalton··7 min read

Smart Locks a Locksmith Would Fit | The Ones Worth Buying

A Lewes locksmith names the retrofit smart locks worth fitting and the ones to skip, with honest failure modes and the insurance catch to check.

Read article
Jane Bramwell··4 min read

Key Safe Security for Carers | Why Cheap Models Aren't Safe

That £15 key safe on a carer's client door looks reassuring. It isn't. Here's what actually keeps a vulnerable person safe without blocking carer access.

Read article
Jane Bramwell··4 min read

Courier Fraud Door Security Lewes | Keep Scammers Out

Lewes Police warned about courier fraud on 19 June 2026. A door chain and spy hole cost less than £30 and stop most attempts cold. Here's what to do.

Read article
Locked out, broken in, or just unsure?

Talk to a Lewes locksmith now. Honest pricing on the call.

Tell us what's happened, and we'll give you our labour rates, an estimate on the parts and the VAT, plus a realistic ETA, before we hang up.

01273 063427Or request a callback
Late and early call-outsHonest pricing on the call
Request a callback

Tell us about the job, we'll ring you back.

For non-emergency jobs (lock surveys, planned upgrades, commercial enquiries) drop your details in below and we'll ring you back the same working day. For an active lockout or break-in, please call.

Call Now · 01273 063427