Bugsy spends a lot of time doing this for elderly Watersiders who’d never otherwise get a proper security review. The Police & Crime Commissioner Award in 2024 was largely for this work. We’ve kept it free for everyone since.
What a free security check is, and isn’t:
What it IS
- A proper walk-round of your home, inside and out, by a qualified locksmith
- An honest assessment of the weak points — not the worst-case scaremongering some firms do
- Plain-English explanation of what each issue means and what it would actually cost to fix
- A written summary you can keep, on a single page
- Time to ask questions about anything, including general home security advice
What it ISN’T
- A sales pitch — we don’t quote unless you ask, and you can take the report and fix things yourself if you prefer
- A 90-minute upsell on alarm systems and CCTV — we don’t sell those (we refer to Waterside Network partners for that)
- Limited to elderly customers — anyone in our coverage area is welcome
- A trick to get into your house — we’ll never ask you to leave us alone with anything
Typical things we find on a check
- Cylinder not 3-star — single biggest issue, fixable for £45-£60
- BS3621 missing on a final exit door — invalidates insurance, fixable for £90 fitted
- UPVc door dropped — handle hard to lift, will fail soon, fixable for £60
- Window locks missing or broken — common entry point, £20-£40 each
- Spare key under a plant pot — burglars know every clever spot. Get a key safe instead
- Letterbox too close to door handle — letterbox tools can lift keys hung inside
- No outdoor lighting — PIR lights are £30-£50 fitted, biggest single deterrent
- Side gate not locked or weak — often the actual entry point, locks ignored
- Garden tools left in plain sight — provides what burglars use to attack the door
What you do with the report
Up to you. If you want us to fix any of it, we’ll quote for the work — written, no obligation. If you want to do it yourself, the report tells you what to buy and how to fit it. If you want to leave it, that’s fine too — at least you know.
Especially useful for
- Elderly residents living alone — we explain things slowly, no jargon, no sales pressure
- Carers worried about a relative’s home — we can do the visit while you’re at work, send you the report
- New homeowners — buying somewhere, checking what the previous owners left behind
- Holiday let / Airbnb hosts — making sure guest security is properly thought through
- Anyone whose insurance just renewed with new clauses — checking compliance
Booking
Call Bugsy. Tell him what you’d like checked. He’ll book a slot — usually within a week, faster if it’s urgent. Genuinely free for properties in our normal coverage area.
Call: 07453 327708