Check Your Locksmith

Need an emergency locksmith near you?

If you've found this page while urgently needing a lock changed, please take two minutes to read it before you find and book a locksmith.

Last updated 1 October 2026

Locked out right now? Do this first

A quick checklist before you book an emergency or 24-hour locksmith.

  1. Call your landlord or letting agentIf you rent, they may have a spare key or a locksmith they already use.
  2. Check your home insuranceMany policies include home emergency cover with a 24-hour helpline.
  3. Find a verified local locksmithUse the MLA's approved locksmith search rather than the first sponsored ad.
  4. Get the full price in writingCall-out, labour, parts and VAT, sent by text or email before they set off.
  5. Consider somewhere else to stayIf it's late, a night with family, friends or in a hotel while you find a trusted locksmith may well work out cheaper than an emergency call-out.

Warning signs of a rogue locksmith

Based on guidance from the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA), the UK's largest locksmith trade body.

  1. A very low advertised priceOften £39, £49 or £59 in a sponsored search result, followed by a much higher bill.
  2. Approval claims you can't verifyTrade-body membership, "vetted" or DBS-checked status with no way to check it.
  3. "Police approved" or "police recommended"The police don't approve or recommend locksmith companies.
  4. A call centre, not a local locksmithNo clear answer about who will do the job or who you're paying.
  5. Vague pricing on the phoneAsking for your address before asking about the door or lock, with no proper quote.
  6. Going straight to drilling the lockA skilled locksmith will usually try non-destructive methods first.

Source: MLA – How to spot a rogue locksmith. You can also find or verify an MLA-approved locksmith.

How the "bait-and-switch" works

A general description of locksmith scams. It does not directly refer to any of the businesses listed on this page.

“Rogue locksmiths in the UK use a bait-and-switch scam - advertising low phone quotes of £39 to £59 before inflating bills to hundreds or thousands of pounds on site.”

  • Suspicious ads: “Scammers buy top sponsored spots on search engines with unrealistically cheap call-out rates.”
  • Call centres: “Calls are answered by remote operators who give vague pricing and dispatch third-party subcontractors.”
  • Destructive entry: “Operatives immediately drill or damage standard locks that could have been picked in seconds, then charge excessive prices for unnecessary replacement parts.”
  • High-pressure tactics: “Victims - often elderly or vulnerable people locked out in emergencies - are pressured into paying massive invoices before the worker leaves.”
  • Invoice red flags: “Invoices list misspelled business names, non-matching VAT details, or generic Gmail contacts.”
Google AI Overview, retrieved 1 Oct 2026. AI-generated summary; may contain errors.

Further reading: BBC News · The Guardian · MoneySuperMarket

Customer reviews

Trustpilot ratings for the following businesses. Follow each link to read the reviews in full.

Why these businesses are listed: on the date checked, each had a Trustpilot score below 3 out of 5, except where noted. Inclusion is not an allegation of wrongdoing by any business. Please read the reviews and decide for yourself. If you represent a listed business and believe anything here is inaccurate or out of date, email [email protected] and it will be reviewed promptly.

Samlocksmithmiltonkeynes reviews

samlocksmithmiltonkeynes.co.uk
Read reviews on Trustpilot · checked 1 Oct 2026
Trustpilot also lists similarly named websites for other towns.
1.2 / 5105 reviews

Locks-Unlock / 24-Hour Locksmith Services reviews

locks-unlock.co.uk
Read reviews on Trustpilot · checked 1 Oct 2026
1.4 / 5227 reviews

Samlocksmithswoking reviews

samlocksmithswoking.co.uk
Read reviews on Trustpilot · checked 1 Oct 2026
Trustpilot also lists similarly named websites for other towns.
1.8 / 514 reviews

Local Locksmith24 reviews

local-locksmith24.co.uk
Read reviews on Trustpilot · checked 1 Oct 2026
Trustpilot lists this company's website as closed and no longer accepts new reviews.
– / 5Profile closed

Ratings and review counts as shown on Trustpilot on the date checked. Scores change over time; please follow the links for the current picture.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions from people searching for a local or 24-hour emergency locksmith.

I'm locked out right now. What should I do first?

If you rent, call your landlord or letting agent first. Check whether your home insurance includes home emergency cover, as many policies have a 24-hour helpline. Otherwise, use the Master Locksmiths Association's search to find an approved locksmith near you, and get a full quote before anyone sets off.

How do I find a genuine local locksmith near me?

Search the Master Locksmiths Association's directory of approved locksmiths, check that the business has a real local address, and read independent reviews. Be wary of sponsored search ads offering very low prices such as £39, £49 or £59.

What should I ask an emergency locksmith on the phone?

Ask for the total price including call-out fee, labour, any parts and VAT. Ask for the name of the locksmith who will attend, whether they are a subcontractor, and who you will be paying. Ask them to send the quote by text or email before they set off.

Should a locksmith drill my lock?

A skilled locksmith will usually try non-destructive entry methods first. Be cautious if a locksmith wants to drill the lock straight away, as this can lead to extra charges for a replacement lock.

I think I've been overcharged by a locksmith. Where can I get help?

Contact Citizens Advice, who can refer you to Trading Standards. If you think you've been the victim of fraud, you can report it to Report Fraud. Keep any invoices, receipts, texts and call logs.