Recent Spate of Burglaries, please be aware.........

Yes, "fake" locksmith stickers found on letterboxes can be used by burglars as markers to identify potential targets, a tactic used by "scouts" to signal other criminals of vulnerable homes. Police and residents are advised to immediately remove these stickers, which often have unusable phone numbers, to prevent them from being used to facilitate burglaries. 

Why these stickers are a problem

The stickers serve as a code to let other burglars know which houses are good to target. 

A sticker may indicate that a property has been surveilled and found to be vulnerable, possibly by checking if anyone is home during the day. 

In some cases, the stickers themselves are a scam by unscrupulous locksmiths who charge excessive amounts for low-quality work, according to Keytek Locksmiths and 24/7-London-Locksmith. 

What to do if you find one

Take the sticker off your letterbox or door as soon as you see it and dispose of it in an indoor bin. 

Notify the police or your local Safer Neighbourhood Team about the sticker. This helps them track the activity and warn the community. 

Keep an eye out for these types of markers on other properties in your area. 

Scam: The stickers – which have already been linked to one local burglary – are printed with the words ’24/7 Locksmith – Repair Installation Locked out’ and a fake telephone number of 0203 582 8175

Officers believe that ‘scouts’ place the stickers on properties they deem to be vulnerable, after checking whether the owners are at home during the day and if windows and doors are locked. It is thought the stickers were designed so that if a scout is apprehended while marking a house, they can claim they are simply handing out advertising material.

There have been a number of front doors found with stickers, giving details of a locksmith, which enquires reveal is not a genuine company. These are placed near the main lock.

‘It is assessed that these markers are being used by potential burglars to mark potential targets which are then returned to subsequently. If you find a sticker on your door, the best thing to do is remove it.’