Ranked by impact: anti-snap cylinders on external doors, sash jammers and locking handles on accessible openings, letterbox protection, then cameras and alarms for detection and deterrence. Physical hardware first — it stops entry rather than recording it.

Walk the outside like a burglar: check every cylinder for star markings, try lifting patio doors, look for reachable thumb turns near letterboxes and glass, and note which approaches are hidden from the street. Fix the cheapest weakness first — it's usually the cylinder.

Yes — thirty years in the trade means we've seen every break-in method. Email photos of your doors and windows or call at the Aintree trade counter and we'll tell you what actually needs upgrading, and what doesn't.