The Supra C500 Pro and ark Tamo are the only mechanical key safes in the UK that hold Police Preferred Specification. Both meet the LPS1175 Issue 8 standard independently tested by the Building Research Establishment and carry Secured by Design approval from the official UK Police security initiative.
What "Police Recommended" Actually Means
In the UK, the term "police recommended" on a key safe refers to Secured by Design — an official initiative run by the National Police Chiefs' Council. Products carrying the Secured by Design mark have been independently tested to resist physical attack under the LPS1175 Issue 8 standard, published by the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB).
LPS1175 Issue 8 uses a letter-and-number rating system (A1 through A10) to classify resistance to attack using increasingly severe tools and force:
- A1–A2: Resists basic hand tools for at least one minute
- A3–A4: Resists power tools and moderate force for three minutes
- A5: Resists sustained power tool attack — equivalent to a domestic front door lock
- A10: The highest classification available — resists extended professional-grade attack
Cheap key safes sold without this certification — including many popular models under £20 — have been opened in seconds using basic tools. Essex Police, the Metropolitan Police, and several other forces explicitly state that only Secured by Design-approved key safes should be used. Many home insurance providers also require Secured by Design certification for coverage of key safe installations.
Our Top Police-Approved Key Safe Picks
Best Overall: Supra C500 Pro — LPS1175 A5 Rated
Police Preferred Specification · Secured by Design · LPS1175 Issue 8 A5 · approx. £65–£85
The Supra C500 Pro is the UK's most widely installed police-approved key safe, used by NHS community care teams, social services, and private homeowners across the country. It meets LPS1175 Issue 8 A5 — the same attack resistance standard as a domestic front door deadlock. The push-button code allows over 4,000 combinations and the heavy-gauge steel body fixes directly into masonry. It holds up to two standard door keys.
Maximum Security: ark Tamo — LPS1175 A10 Rated
Police Preferred Specification · Secured by Design · LPS1175 Issue 8 A10 (highest available) · approx. £70–£100
The ark Tamo is the only key safe in the world to achieve LPS1175 Issue 8 A10 — the highest security classification available under the standard. It is the appropriate choice where a key safe protects access for vulnerable adults (dementia care, disability support) and where a higher level of physical security is required than the A5-rated C500 provides. The Tamo uses a patent-protected internal locking mechanism that resists lever and drill attack.
Specialist Option: Supra P500 Pro
Police Preferred Specification · Secured by Design · holds more keys · approx. £80–£110
The Supra P500 Pro extends the C500's design to hold larger key sets — useful where properties require multiple keys (front door, back door, garage, mobility aid shed) to be stored in a single unit. It carries the same LPS1175 Issue 8 A5 rating and Secured by Design approval as the C500 Pro.
Key Safes to Avoid
Not police approved — avoid for home security use
Many popular key safe brands sold on Amazon and in DIY stores do not carry Secured by Design approval. Master Lock, Yale (standard range), and unbranded combination boxes all fall into this category. These units have been demonstrated to open in under 30 seconds using basic tools in police-conducted tests. Do not install a non-approved key safe if your aim is genuine home security or insurance compliance.
Where to Install a Police-Approved Key Safe
Correct installation is as important as buying the right product. A Secured by Design key safe fixed into soft render or lightweight blockwork provides substantially less security than one fixed into solid brick or stone. Follow these installation principles:
- Fix into solid masonry. Solid brick, natural stone, or dense concrete block. Avoid cavity wall outer skins, timber frames, or rendered surfaces without a masonry substrate. The fixing screws in a properly installed Supra C500 require the same force to extract as the safe body requires to crack open.
- Install at 1.0–1.5 metres from ground level. This height allows comfortable access for wheelchair users while keeping the unit out of easy reach for opportunistic interference at ground level. NHS community care guidelines specify 1.0–1.2 metres as standard.
- Position away from direct view from the street. Install on a side wall or rear-facing surface where the unit is not immediately visible to passers-by. Visibility draws attention; the purpose of the safe is discreet emergency access, not convenience from the pavement.
- Use all supplied fixing points. Supra and ark Tamo units are supplied with the full fixing hardware required for their security ratings. Fixing with fewer than the specified number of fixings reduces the attack resistance below the certified level.
Will a Key Safe Affect Your Home Insurance?
A non-approved key safe can invalidate home insurance if a burglary occurs via the key safe. Most home insurers require that any external key storage device carries Secured by Design approval. Some policies specify this explicitly in the terms; others include it under general security clauses requiring "appropriate security measures."
A Secured by Design-approved key safe does not, in itself, invalidate insurance. Several major insurers — including Aviva, AXA, and Zurich — publish guidance confirming that Secured by Design-certified key safes are acceptable. Check your specific policy wording and confirm with your insurer before installation if coverage is a primary concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "police approved" mean for a key safe?
In the UK it means the key safe holds Secured by Design certification — an official police security initiative run by the National Police Chiefs' Council. Products earn this status by passing independent physical attack testing to the LPS1175 Issue 8 standard, conducted by the Building Research Establishment. Only key safes that meet A5 rating or above qualify for Police Preferred Specification.
What is the most secure key safe in the UK?
The ark Tamo is the most secure key safe currently available in the UK. It holds LPS1175 Issue 8 A10 certification — the highest classification under the standard and the highest rating achieved by any key safe in the world. The Supra C500 Pro is A5 rated and sufficient for the majority of domestic applications.
Are all key safes police approved?
No. The majority of key safes sold in the UK — including popular cheap models from Master Lock and many unbranded products — do not hold Secured by Design approval and have not passed LPS1175 testing. Only the Supra C500 Pro, Supra P500 Pro, ark Tamo, and Defender Pro-TEC currently hold Police Preferred Specification in the UK.
Can a burglar break a police-approved key safe?
A Secured by Design key safe is designed to resist attack for a time sufficient to deter a typical opportunistic burglar — not to resist indefinite professional attack. The A5 rating on the Supra C500 Pro means it resists sustained power tool attack for a minimum defined period. In practice, a professional burglar with time and specialist tools can eventually defeat any mechanical key safe; the approved models make this sufficiently difficult and slow that the risk is reduced to a level comparable with a standard front door deadlock.
Do I need a police-approved key safe for emergency access?
Yes — a Secured by Design-approved model is strongly recommended for any key safe that provides access for carers, emergency services, or family members in a medical emergency. The NHS, Social Services, and most care agencies specify Secured by Design certification for key safes used in community care. Non-approved key safes may be declined by care coordinators and district nurses who are required to follow their organisation's security policy.
Where should I mount a key safe outside?
Mount the key safe into solid masonry at 1.0–1.5 metres above ground level on a wall not directly visible from the street. The side or rear of a property is preferable. Use all supplied fixings and fix into brick or dense block rather than render, timber, or lightweight blockwork. Follow the manufacturer's installation instructions precisely — any deviation reduces the security the unit was tested and certified to provide.
