LockSafe24/7 UK

Snapped key in the lock? We extract it. We don't drill it.

DBS-verified locksmiths with extraction tools — most jobs done non-destructively in under 20 minutes.

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Half the key in your hand, half in the cylinder. The good news: a competent locksmith has it out in 20 minutes, and you almost never need a new lock.

Why LockSafe doesn't get scammed

The bits no other "locksmith near me" service has

Locksmiths with extraction tools

Every bidder on LockSafe carries the kit to extract — not just drill. Drilling is the last resort, not the opening move.

Extraction quoted up-front

Bids itemise the extraction call-out separately from any lock replacement, so you only pay for what's needed.

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Broken Key Extraction

From £70

Snapped your key in the lock? Verified locksmiths extract broken keys without damaging your cylinder.

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From £80

New tenant, lost keys, or upgrade time? Get a BS3621 lock change from verified, insurance-approved locksmiths.

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Locked out or need urgent help? Post your job and get verified locksmiths competing for your trust before any work starts.

The full guide

About key snapped in the lock

Why keys snap (and why it's rarely your fault)

Snapped keys usually mean a worn cylinder, a misaligned door, or a cheap blank key. Forcing the turn was the final straw, but the underlying problem was already there. Once the broken half is extracted, a good locksmith will tell you which of those three caused it — and what to do about it.

What the extraction actually looks like

Specialist extractors are slim spring-steel hooks that grip the bittings of the broken half and slide it back out. A skilled locksmith will have the key out in 5–20 minutes for most UK domestic cylinders. If a bidder's first move is to drill the cylinder, ask why — drilling is for cases where extraction has genuinely failed, not the default.

Do I need a new lock after a snap?

Usually no. Once the broken half is out, the cylinder is fully functional — you just need a new key cut to the existing pin code. If the cylinder is genuinely worn (which is what caused the snap), budget £45–£80 for a replacement euro-cylinder and ask for an anti-snap one while you're at it.

Key Snapped in the Lock — by city

Local prices, response times and verified locksmiths across 79 UK towns and cities.

Key Snapped in the Lock in LondonKey Snapped in the Lock in ManchesterKey Snapped in the Lock in LiverpoolKey Snapped in the Lock in BirminghamKey Snapped in the Lock in CoventryKey Snapped in the Lock in WolverhamptonKey Snapped in the Lock in LeedsKey Snapped in the Lock in SheffieldKey Snapped in the Lock in BradfordKey Snapped in the Lock in HullKey Snapped in the Lock in YorkKey Snapped in the Lock in Newcastle upon TyneKey Snapped in the Lock in SunderlandKey Snapped in the Lock in MiddlesbroughKey Snapped in the Lock in NottinghamKey Snapped in the Lock in LeicesterKey Snapped in the Lock in DerbyKey Snapped in the Lock in CambridgeKey Snapped in the Lock in NorwichKey Snapped in the Lock in PeterboroughKey Snapped in the Lock in IpswichKey Snapped in the Lock in Brighton & HoveKey Snapped in the Lock in OxfordKey Snapped in the Lock in ReadingKey Snapped in the Lock in SouthamptonKey Snapped in the Lock in PortsmouthKey Snapped in the Lock in Milton KeynesKey Snapped in the Lock in BristolKey Snapped in the Lock in PlymouthKey Snapped in the Lock in ExeterKey Snapped in the Lock in BathKey Snapped in the Lock in BournemouthKey Snapped in the Lock in GlasgowKey Snapped in the Lock in EdinburghKey Snapped in the Lock in AberdeenKey Snapped in the Lock in DundeeKey Snapped in the Lock in CardiffKey Snapped in the Lock in SwanseaKey Snapped in the Lock in NewportKey Snapped in the Lock in BelfastKey Snapped in the Lock in Stoke-on-TrentKey Snapped in the Lock in WakefieldKey Snapped in the Lock in DoncasterKey Snapped in the Lock in PrestonKey Snapped in the Lock in BlackpoolKey Snapped in the Lock in BoltonKey Snapped in the Lock in StockportKey Snapped in the Lock in WarringtonKey Snapped in the Lock in ChesterKey Snapped in the Lock in HuddersfieldKey Snapped in the Lock in HalifaxKey Snapped in the Lock in LancasterKey Snapped in the Lock in WorcesterKey Snapped in the Lock in GloucesterKey Snapped in the Lock in CheltenhamKey Snapped in the Lock in LincolnKey Snapped in the Lock in NorthamptonKey Snapped in the Lock in StevenageKey Snapped in the Lock in ChelmsfordKey Snapped in the Lock in ColchesterKey Snapped in the Lock in WatfordKey Snapped in the Lock in LutonKey Snapped in the Lock in St AlbansKey Snapped in the Lock in SloughKey Snapped in the Lock in GuildfordKey Snapped in the Lock in CrawleyKey Snapped in the Lock in MaidstoneKey Snapped in the Lock in CanterburyKey Snapped in the Lock in EastbourneKey Snapped in the Lock in WorthingKey Snapped in the Lock in PooleKey Snapped in the Lock in SalisburyKey Snapped in the Lock in TruroKey Snapped in the Lock in CarlisleKey Snapped in the Lock in WrexhamKey Snapped in the Lock in InvernessKey Snapped in the Lock in StirlingKey Snapped in the Lock in PerthKey Snapped in the Lock in Derry/Londonderry

Answers

Frequently asked questions

  • How long does it take to extract a snapped key?
    Typically 5–20 minutes for a standard UK euro-cylinder or nightlatch. Mortice locks can take a little longer because of the deeper keyway.
  • Will I need a new lock?
    Usually not — once the broken half is removed, the lock still works. You will need a new key cut. If the cylinder is visibly worn, it's worth replacing while the locksmith is on site.
  • Can I extract a snapped key myself?
    If a few millimetres of the broken half are sticking out, fine-nose pliers sometimes work. If the break is flush or recessed, you need specialist extractors — DIY attempts usually push the broken half deeper and turn a 20-minute job into a drill-out.
  • Why did my key snap in the first place?
    Most commonly: a worn cylinder where the pins no longer align cleanly, a misaligned door where the bolt drags against the strike plate, or a cheap blank cut by a kiosk. The locksmith can usually tell you which one in 30 seconds of inspection.

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