24/7 locked inside
Locked inside
your home?
A jammed lock, a snapped key or a uPVC door that will not open. Call us and a local locksmith will get you out, usually within 30 to 60 minutes, and fix the lock while we are there.
- MLA member
- Fully insured
- Open 24/7
- Card, cash, Clearpay or Klarna
Quick answer
What should I do if I am locked inside my home?
If anyone is at risk, call 999 first. If you are safe, call us, stay by the door and do not force the key. Most doors that will not open from the inside have a failed gearbox, a jammed mortice lock or a snapped key.
Checked November 2026 by East London Locksmith Ltd, a Master Locksmiths Association member.
Fault finder
Why doors will not open from the inside
Find what is happening to you. If it is not here, call us and describe it: we will tell you what it needs and what it will cost.
Tap what is happening to see the usual cause and fix.
| What you notice | Usually the cause | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| Key will not turn from the inside | A worn cylinder or a jammed mortice lock. | Opened from outside, then the lock repaired or replaced. |
| Handle goes down but the door stays shut | A failed gearbox in a uPVC or composite door. | Door opened, gearbox replaced. |
| Key snapped inside | Too much force on a worn key. | Broken piece removed, cylinder replaced if needed. |
| Door jammed in the frame | The door has dropped or swollen. | Opened, then adjusted so it closes and locks easily. |
| Deadlocked with no key | Someone locked it from outside, or the key is lost. | Opened and a new cylinder fitted. |
Key will not turn from the inside
Usually: A worn cylinder or a jammed mortice lock.
Opened from outside, then the lock repaired or replaced.
Handle goes down but the door stays shut
Usually: A failed gearbox in a uPVC or composite door.
Door opened, gearbox replaced.
Key snapped inside
Usually: Too much force on a worn key.
Broken piece removed, cylinder replaced if needed.
Door jammed in the frame
Usually: The door has dropped or swollen.
Opened, then adjusted so it closes and locks easily.
Deadlocked with no key
Usually: Someone locked it from outside, or the key is lost.
Opened and a new cylinder fitted.
Locked inside
What we do
If anyone is unwell, in danger or a child is shut in on their own, call 999 first. For everything else, call us and tell us what the door is doing.
- Jammed mortice locks
- uPVC doors stuck locked
- Keys snapped on the inside
- Failed gearboxes
- Deadlocked with no key
- Locks repaired or replaced
What is included
- Price agreed on the phone before we set off
- You are let out first, then the lock is fixed
- Gearbox, cylinder or mortice repaired or replaced
- Lock tested with the door open and shut
- Card, cash, Clearpay or Klarna
Stuck inside
Stuck inside? Try this first
While we are on the way. None of these will damage your door.
- Is anyone at risk?If someone is unwell, a young child is shut in alone, or there is smoke or fire, call 999 first.
- uPVC or composite doorPush the door firmly towards the frame while you turn the key. If the door has dropped, this takes the pressure off the lock.
- Key will not turnDo not force it or use pliers. A snapped key makes the job longer.
- A child shut in a roomStay at the door and keep talking. If they are old enough, ask them to turn the thumb-turn or handle slowly.
- Stay by the doorKeep your phone charged and stay where you can talk to the locksmith.
Good to know
Who to call first
Getting this right keeps everyone safe.
- Someone is unwell or in dangerCall 999 first.
- A young child is shut in aloneCall 999 first, then call us.
- A pet is shut in a hot roomCall us straight away and tell us when you call.
- You are stuck inside but safeCall us. Stay by the door so you can talk to the locksmith.
Good to knowWho to call first
- Someone is unwell or in dangerCall 999 first.
- A young child is shut in aloneCall 999 first, then call us.
- A pet is shut in a hot roomCall us straight away and tell us when you call.
- You are stuck inside but safeCall us. Stay by the door so you can talk to the locksmith.
Four simple steps
How it works
7 days a week
- Call us from insideTell us the address and what the door is doing. We give you the price.
- We come to youA uniformed local locksmith arrives, usually in 30 to 60 minutes.
- We open the doorFrom outside, without damage wherever we can.
- We fix the lockWe repair or replace the part that failed and test it with you.
Prices
Supplied and fitted prices
All prices are supplied and fitted: the lock, fitting and labour, with no hidden extras. We confirm your price on the call before we come out.
uPVC doors
Multipoint locks on uPVC and composite doors.- Opening a door with a failed mechanism
- from £120
- uPVC door alignment
- from £90
- Mechanism replacement
- Priced on the call
Euro cylinders
On most uPVC and composite doors, and many wooden ones.- Kitemarked 1-star cylinder, usually with 5 keys
- from £95
- Kitemarked 3-star anti-snap cylinder
- from £130
The locks we fit
Quality locks, not cheap imports
Not all locksmiths use the same locks. Some fit cheap unbranded locks that can wear quickly and fail. We do not.
- From proper suppliersEvery lock we fit is bought from reputable, well-established UK locksmith wholesalers.
- British Standard and KitemarkedCylinders carry the BSI Kitemark to TS007, and our mortice deadlocks meet BS 3621, the standard most home insurers ask for.
- Built to lastBranded locks work smoothly for years. Cheap ones can stick, wear and fail, which means another call-out.
- One price, all-inclusiveThe lock, fitting and labour in one price, agreed on the call before we come out.
Where we work
Locked inside across East London
The same service and the same prices in every borough we cover, 24 hours a day.
Someone vulnerable is locked inside. What should I do?
If anyone is unwell, in danger or a young child is shut in on their own, call 999 first. Then call us.
Can you open a uPVC door that is stuck locked?
Yes. Usually the gearbox has failed. We open the door, normally without damage, and replace the gearbox.
What if I have no key to the deadlock?
Call us and tell us which door it is. We can open it from outside and change the lock if needed.
Will I need a new lock?
Not always. Many locks can be repaired. If yours is worn out, we tell you the price before we fit a new one.
Should I call the fire brigade?
Call 999 if someone is in danger or there is a fire. For a stuck door with nobody at risk, call us.
Can you open the door without breaking it?
Usually, yes. We try non-destructive entry first and tell you before we drill anything.
What should I check before booking any locksmith?
Ask for the price before anyone sets off. A real price on the phone, not a call-out fee “plus whatever the job turns out to be”. Ask about non-destructive entry. Most lockouts do not need a drilled lock. Ask why if someone says yours does. Check the company is real. A company name you can look up, real reviews and a phone number that is answered. Pay by card if you can. Card payments can be disputed. We take card, cash, Clearpay and Klarna.
Checked November 2026 by East London Locksmith Ltd, a member of the Master Locksmiths Association. Standards and advice on this page follow UK guidance.