A standard with a confusing star system
Lock snapping is a well-known attack on euro cylinders, the type common in uPVC and composite doors. Product listings advertise “3-star anti-snap” cylinders and “1-star” cylinders that need special handles, and the difference is not obvious. This article explains the technical specification TS 007 using the Door and Hardware Federation (DHF) and Secured by Design (SBD) as sources. TS 007 is a voluntary industry specification, not a legal requirement in any part of the United Kingdom, so the rules it sets are relevant to what buyers choose and what insurers may ask for rather than to compliance with the law.
Where TS 007 comes from
The DHF says that Secured by Design, the police crime-prevention initiative, worked with the DHF and the Glass and Glazing Federation to develop TS 007. The DHF describes its 2019 update as an extension of the original specification first published in 2014, and SBD’s guidance on locks lists the reference as DHF TS 007:2014 plus A2:2018, for replacement cylinders and associated security hardware with enhanced security performance.
The DHF states that TS 007 addresses cylinder security by testing against five attack methods: snapping, drilling, picking, bumping and lock-surround attacks.
Two routes to the same level
The DHF describes two ways to reach the protection level TS 007 aims at. The first is a TS 007 Kitemarked cylinder with three stars, which has the protection built in. The second is a TS 007 Kitemarked one-star cylinder fitted with a two-star Kitemarked armoured handle or lock surround (a security escutcheon). The DHF says the two combinations offer equivalent security.
In practice, this means a one-star cylinder on its own does not deliver the same protection as a three-star cylinder. It relies on the security furniture around it. Where a door has a standard handle without two-star armouring, the one-star cylinder’s protection against the snapping attack depends on what else is fitted. The DHF’s guidance for homeowners advises looking for the Kitemark and the stars on both the cylinder and the handle.
Which doors this applies to
The DHF’s homeowner FAQ says that for timber doors, locks rated to BS 3621 should be chosen, while for uPVC doors seeking maximum security, TS 007 is the rating recommended to protect against snapping, bumping and other forms of lock attack. Euro cylinders are the usual fitting on uPVC and composite doors, which is why the specification is aimed at that door type.
How TS 007 relates to BS 3621 and Diamond locks
SBD’s locks guidance lists BS 3621 as the minimum standard for locks on external or entrance doors with key operation from both sides, and lists SS 312 as a specification for cylinders addressing critical security issues. The DHF page on TS 007 also refers to the Master Locksmiths Association’s Sold Secure Diamond Standard (SS 312) and Warrington Certification’s STS 217 scheme as meeting this protection level.
The DHF also published TS 007-2:2019, described as an extension of the original 2014 document. It covers mechatronic cylinders, which are electronically operated, with security comparable to BS 3621 and PAS 24, in response to newer attack methods.
Checking and upgrading an existing cylinder
The DHF says that a Kitemark on a lock indicates the security level when it was first awarded, but that locks are continually improving, so older locks may need updating regardless of markings. It advises homeowners with locks that have been in place for many years to consult a locksmith or security installer to decide whether upgrades are needed.
Insurance is a separate consideration. The DHF says most insurers mandate minimum security standards and that following DHF and Master Locksmiths Association guidance typically helps to maintain cover, but it advises homeowners to check their own policy. Requirements differ between insurers, and the policy wording is the authority on what is actually required.
Other marks that appear on locks
The DHF’s homeowner FAQ lists several recognised security ratings: the BSI Kitemark, Sold Secure, Insurance Approved, Secured by Design and Diamond Approved. It recommends all of them, and says that where a buyer is unsure which to pick, the BSI Kitemark indicates a high level of security. It is worth reading which standard a product has actually been tested to, and whether it is intended for a timber door or a uPVC door.
Questions worth asking before buying
Does the cylinder carry the TS 007 Kitemark, and how many stars? If it is one star, is the door handle or lock surround two-star Kitemarked? Is the product intended for the type of door in question? A locksmith or security installer can confirm what is currently fitted and whether an upgrade is needed.
The bottom line
TS 007 is a police-backed, DHF-published specification that tests euro cylinders and door hardware against snapping, drilling, picking, bumping and lock-surround attacks. According to the DHF, protection comes from either a three-star Kitemarked cylinder or a one-star cylinder combined with two-star Kitemarked security furniture. It is voluntary, it sits alongside BS 3621 and the Diamond standard rather than replacing them, and insurance requirements should be checked against the policy itself.