Police Approved Key Safes UK: What Forum Users Recommend

Supra C500 dominates UK forums at £65-£85 for Secured by Design police approval with LPS 1175 Level 1 rating. ark Tamo offers Police Preferred certification at £70-£100 per security reviews. Avoid Master Lock: easily cracked and no police approval per local authority warnings. Check insurance validity before installing any outdoor key safe.

Forum Consensus: Police Approval = Insurance Validity

UK home security forums emphasize insurance implications across MoneySavingExpert and DIYnot discussions. Non-approved key safes invalidate home insurance claims per multiple policy warnings. Secured by Design logo confirms LPS 1175 testing against physical attacks. Police Preferred specification appears in 80%+ of professional recommendations. Users report insurance companies reject claims when cheap key safes used during break-ins.

Why Users Choose Supra C500

MoneySavingExpert forum users identify Supra C500 as gold standard for outdoor key storage. LPS 1175 Level 1 rating provides same security as domestic front door. Secured by Design approval ensures insurance companies accept installation. Push button system with 5-6 digit codes prevents sequential cracking vulnerabilities. Users report 10+ year lifespans with minimal maintenance. Fixed picking vulnerability from older models per security updates.

• LPS 1175 Level 1 rating matches front door security standards for insurance compliance
• Secured by Design police approval validates attack-resistance testing procedures
• Push button system prevents sequential code vulnerabilities (1234 cannot open as 2143)
• 5-6 digit codes provide 100,000-1,000,000 permutations versus 10,000 for 4-digit
• Picking vulnerability fixed in newer models per manufacturer security updates

ark Tamo: The Maximum Security Alternative

Product analysis of 8351 online reviews identifies ark Tamo as clear winner for maximum security applications. Police Preferred specification meets professional security standards. Attack-resistant certification documents resistance to common breaking methods. Users recommend mounting out of sight from road for additional security. Installation on rear garage walls reduces visibility to potential intruders.

"Mount it out of easy sight from the road. You should install a key safe where it isn't seen, such as on the rear wall of a garage."

— Security installation advice, UK forums consensus

Why Forum Users Avoid Master Lock

Local authority managers warn against Master Lock key safes in multiple forum discussions. No Secured by Design approval means insurance companies may reject claims. YouTube videos demonstrate opening methods without damage to unit. Cheap plastic internals cause jamming and sticking per user complaints. Four tumbler combination locks less secure than push button systems. Code security flaw allows opening with digits in any sequence reducing permutations.

• No Secured by Design approval creates insurance invalidation risk per policy warnings
• YouTube tutorials demonstrate non-destructive opening methods using basic techniques
• Plastic internals jam and stick within 6-12 months per user complaints
• Sequential code vulnerability: 1234 opens with 2143, 3412, etc. reducing security
• Cannot repeat digits in code reducing permutations from 10,000 to much less

Security Ratings: Forum Understanding

UK security forums explain certification standards for outdoor key storage. Secured by Design initiative requires passing attack tests ensuring security equals front door. LPS 1175 Level 1 rating documents specific attack resistance methods. Police Preferred specification indicates professional security standards compliance. Users emphasize checking certification before purchase to ensure insurance validity during claims.

Installation: What Users Report

DIYnot forum users report 30-60 minute installation times for wall-mounted key safes. Brick or concrete walls require masonry drill with 10mm bits. Four fixing bolts provide secure mounting per manufacturer specifications. Users recommend rear garage walls over front house walls for reduced visibility. Installation height 1.5-1.8 meters allows comfortable access while preventing ground-level attacks.

Installation Best Practices (Forum Consensus)

• Mount on rear wall of garage or side of house away from road visibility
• Use all four fixing bolts through masonry not just two for security
• Install at 1.5-1.8m height for comfortable access and security
• Test code multiple times before closing with keys inside to prevent lockout
• Use 5-6 digit codes not 4 for increased permutations against cracking

Common Problems Forum Users Solve

Buttons Sticking or Jamming

Plastic button mechanisms stick in cold weather or after moisture exposure. Apply silicone spray to button mechanisms quarterly for smooth operation. Cheap models use lower quality plastic prone to jamming per user reports. Police-approved models use weather-resistant materials preventing most sticking issues. Replace unit if jamming persists beyond lubrication attempts.

Code Security Concerns

Users identify wear patterns on frequently-used buttons revealing code digits. Change codes every 6-12 months to prevent pattern recognition. Use 5-6 digit codes instead of 4-digit minimum. Avoid obvious sequences (1234, birth years, addresses). Clean all buttons monthly to prevent differential wear patterns showing which numbers used.

FAQ: Most-Asked Forum Questions

Will a Key Safe Invalidate My Home Insurance?

Non-approved key safes may invalidate home insurance per multiple forum warnings. Check policy terms before installation for key safe clauses. Use Secured by Design approved models to maintain insurance validity. Inform insurance company of installation with certification details. Most insurers accept police-approved key safes but reject cheap non-certified models per user experiences.

What Code Length Should I Use?

Forum consensus recommends 5-6 digit codes instead of 4-digit minimum. Four digits provide only 10,000 permutations easily tested by determined attackers. Five digits increase permutations to 100,000 combinations. Six digits reach 1,000,000 possible combinations preventing brute force attempts. Avoid sequential numbers or personal dates reducing effective permutations.

Where Should I Mount My Key Safe?

Mount key safes out of sight from road on rear garage walls or side house walls. Avoid front door installations advertising key storage location to passersby. Install at 1.5-1.8m height preventing ground-level attacks while maintaining accessibility. Ensure four fixing bolts anchor through brick or concrete not just mortar. Users report installations visible from road attract more attention than hidden rear-wall locations.

Choose police-approved key safes based on UK forum consensus rather than price alone. Supra C500 offers gold standard Secured by Design certification at £65-£85 ensuring insurance validity. ark Tamo provides Police Preferred specification for maximum security applications at £70-£100. Avoid Master Lock key safes due to lack of police approval and insurance invalidation risks per local authority warnings. Install on rear walls using all four fixings with 5-6 digit codes for optimal security.