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Emergency Locksmith London

Locked out? Our 24/7 emergency locksmiths target a 25-minute response across London. Fast, professional, damage-free entry with the price agreed before we start.

City Locksmith London
Average response
25 min
Average response
On London doorsteps
15+ yrs
On London doorsteps
Every day of the year
24/7
Every day of the year
Call-out fee
£0
Call-out fee
Vetted & insured
DBS
Vetted & insured

Our Emergency Services

Emergency Door Opening

From £79

Locked out of your home or office? Our technicians use non-destructive techniques to get you back inside quickly. Available 24/7, 365 days a year. See our emergency locksmith prices for transparent costs.

Broken Key Extraction

Free quote

Key snapped in the lock? We carefully extract broken keys and can cut a replacement on-site. No damage to your lock in most cases.

Burglary Repairs

Free quote

If your property has been broken into, we provide emergency lock changes and security upgrades to make your home or business secure again. Learn more about our break-in repair service.

24/7 Lock Repair & Replacement

From £69

Damaged or faulty lock? We carry a range of high-security locks and can repair or replace your lock on the spot, day or night. We cover all London areas - find your local locksmith.

Prices are starting labour rates, ex VAT, and exclude parts. See the full price list for details.

How It Works

1

Call Us

Call 020 4524 6667 any time, day or night. Tell us your location and the problem.

2

We Arrive Fast

A qualified locksmith near you is dispatched immediately. Target response: 25 minutes across London.

3

Problem Solved

We resolve your issue quickly and professionally. You only pay the agreed price - no hidden fees.

Common Emergencies We Handle

Most emergency call-outs fall into a handful of scenarios. Whatever has happened, we have almost certainly seen it before.

  • Locked out after losing your keys or leaving them inside - see what to do if you are locked out of your house.
  • Snapped or broken key in the lock, including uPVC multipoint doors - our uPVC locksmith service covers these.
  • Jammed, seized or faulty locks that will not turn or release.
  • Broken uPVC door mechanism or a handle that will not lift to lock.
  • After a break-in, securing the property fast with new locks and break-in repair.
  • Emergency board-up of broken doors and windows, for homes and commercial premises.
  • Locked out of your car late at night - our auto locksmith service can help.
  • Smart lock failures and battery lockouts that leave you stuck outside.

Not sure if it counts as an emergency? Our guide on when to call an emergency locksmith can help you decide.

Insurance-approved locks & British Standards

If we change a lock during an emergency call-out, here is what your home insurer expects and the standards we fit to.

Will my new lock meet my home insurance? (BS3621)

Most UK home insurers want a BS3621 5-lever mortice or kitemarked cylinder on final-exit doors. We carry and fit them during an emergency change.

If we change a lock during an emergency call-out, you may want it to meet your home insurer's requirements. Most UK home insurance policies ask for a BS3621 lock on final-exit doors. This is the British Standard for a 5-lever mortice deadlock or a kitemarked cylinder rim lock, designed to resist drilling, picking and forcing for a set period.

We use non-destructive entry wherever possible, with emergency door opening from £79, a 25-minute target response, and no call-out fee - the fixed price is agreed before we set off. Read our guide on how to unlock doors without damaging them, what to do if you need to get a snapped key out of a lock, or why a BS3621 lock is what your insurance requires. If you are locked out of a safe, we can help with that too.

Flats, fire doors & anti-snap cylinders (BS8621, TS007)

For flats and fire-escape routes a thumbturn BS8621 lock is safer; on uPVC and composite doors we fit TS007 3-star or Sold Secure anti-snap cylinders.

For flats and any door on a fire-escape route, a BS8621 lock is often more appropriate. These keyless-egress locks let you exit with a thumbturn without a key, which matters in a fire, while still meeting insurance standards.

On euro-cylinder uPVC and composite doors, we can fit TS007 3-star anti-snap cylinders or a Sold Secure rated cylinder to protect against lock snapping, the most common forced-entry method on these doors. We carry insurance-rated, British Standard locks and can fit them during an emergency lock change on request.

To understand the options before you decide, read our guide to security door and window lock types, learn more about our lock change service, or see our door lock installation service for a like-for-like or upgraded fit later.

Fair Pricing

Honest, Upfront Emergency Pricing

We believe an emergency is no time for nasty surprises. Our prices are clear starting figures, and we confirm the full cost with you before any work begins.

Emergency door opening

From £79

Lock change (labour)

From £69

Locked out of your car

From £109

Your final price depends on the lock type, the time of day, the complexity of the job, and any parts needed. There is no call-out fee and no hidden charges. For a full breakdown, see our locksmith price list.

A word of caution: be wary of firms advertising unrealistically cheap headline prices that climb steeply once a locksmith is at your door. Reputable locksmiths quote emergency rates honestly and reasonably, which is exactly how we work.

Emergency Locksmith Coverage Across London

We cover every London postcode plus the outer Greater London boroughs (TW, DA, KT, SM, BR, CR, EN, WD, UB, HA, IG and RM). Response is usually fastest in central London and can take up to an hour in outer Greater London.

Insured & DBS-checked

Why Londoners trust City Locksmith

Fully insured, DBS-checked engineers with 15+ years securing London homes and businesses - no call-out fee, with the price agreed up front.

Non-destructive entry

We open without damage where possible

DBS-checked engineers

Background-vetted technicians

Fully insured

Comprehensive public liability cover

15+ years

Serving London since 2008

24/7, 365 days

Day, night, weekends, bank holidays

No call-out fee

Free quotes, price agreed up front

Every job is carried out by an insured, DBS-checked engineer, with a fixed, all-inclusive price agreed before any work begins - no call-out fee and no surprises on the doorstep.

Emergency Locksmith FAQ

Find answers to common questions about our locksmith services.

How quickly can an emergency locksmith arrive?
Our emergency locksmiths target a 25-minute response and typically arrive within 25-30 minutes across most of London. In the outer Greater London boroughs, arrival can take up to an hour. We dispatch the nearest available engineer to you.
Is there a call-out charge for an emergency locksmith?
No. We do not charge a call-out fee. You pay only the agreed labour and parts price, which we confirm with you before any work begins. There are no hidden charges added on arrival.
Can you open my door without damaging it?
Yes. Our locksmiths are trained in non-destructive entry, including lock picking and bypassing, and we always attempt damage-free access first. Drilling is used only as a last resort, with your consent, after which we fit a new lock.
Can a locksmith open a deadbolt or mortice lock without damage?
In most cases, yes. A skilled locksmith can pick or bypass many deadbolts and 5-lever mortice locks non-destructively. If the lock is too high-security or seized, we may need to drill it as a last resort and then replace it like for like, or with an upgrade if you prefer.
How much does an emergency locksmith cost?
Emergency door opening starts from £79 and a lock change starts from £69 for labour. The final price depends on the lock type, time of day, and complexity. We provide a clear quote before starting any work, with no call-out fee.
Do you charge more at night, weekends or bank holidays?
Out-of-hours work can carry a modest premium over standard daytime rates, but we always agree the full price with you upfront before we set off. Be cautious of any locksmith quoting an unusually low headline price that rises sharply on arrival.
Will the replacement lock meet British Standard insurance requirements (BS3621)?
Yes. During an emergency lock change we can fit BS3621 insurance-approved 5-lever mortice locks and British Standard euro cylinders, which most home insurers require. See our guide to security door and window lock types for details.
How many keys come with a new lock after an emergency change?
A standard euro cylinder or mortice lock is typically supplied with three keys. We can cut additional keys on request, either at the time or afterwards.
Can you get into a uPVC door when the key has snapped or the mechanism has failed?
Yes. We extract snapped keys and repair or replace failed uPVC multipoint locking mechanisms and handles. Our uPVC locksmith service covers seized gearboxes, worn cylinders, and doors that will not lock or lift.
What should I do if I'm locked out late at night?
Stay somewhere safe and well-lit and call us on a 24/7 line. We dispatch the nearest locksmith and confirm the price before arriving, so there are no surprises. There is no extra premium beyond our standard out-of-hours rates.
Are your locksmiths vetted and insured?
Yes. Our engineers are DBS-checked and carry comprehensive public liability insurance. We are not a national call centre passing your job to the cheapest bidder.
What should I do if I've been burgled?
First, call the police and do not touch anything. Then call us for emergency lock changes, board-up and security upgrades. We can usually secure your property within the hour and advise on insurance-approved locks.
Do you provide emergency car locksmith services?
Yes. Our auto locksmiths handle car lockouts 24/7. We can unlock your car without damage and cut new keys on-site. Prices start from £109.
Reviews

What our customers say

Real jobs, real Londoners. A few words from people we have helped.

My toddler managed to lock herself in the bathroom and I completely panicked. The locksmith stayed calm on the phone, told me what to check, then turned up quick and had the door open in two minutes flat. Honestly so grateful. Didn't charge the earth either.
Priya S. · Tooting SW17
Phoned at 2am when I got back from a flight and the door wouldn't open. They actually answered, no answerphone nonsense, and had someone out fast. Tidy, friendly, no mess. Would use again without thinking.
Leanne R. · Edmonton N18
Came home to find my key snapped clean off in the door. Thought I'd be paying for a whole new lock. The engineer extracted the broken bit and got the old lock working again for way less than I expected. Proper job.
Tom · Catford SE6

Locked out? Call now

Our emergency locksmiths are standing by 24/7. Fast arrival, fair pricing, no hidden charges.

Call 020 4524 6667
Call Now: 020 4524 6667