How I Rob Banks

Chapter 42Padlocked Gates

I hope you now appreciate how weak a padlock is and why it shouldn't be used to secure any area—at least, nothing serious, and never on its own.

In my career, I must have seen thousands of padlocks in silly places: doors, cupboards, and gates, all of which might as well not have a lock on them. It's not just padlocks, either; normal key locks (the type used on houses) are all insecure. You can get the lockpicks described in the previous chapter as well as specialist tools that can help you gain access to many locations. Most aren't even illegal (please check local laws).

 

The keys shown here are my personal set of what are known as bump keys. This small set of keys is precisely made to work on any door with a “yale” type of keyway. It is estimated that this small set would work for around 90% of buildings in the UK. Frightening, really, considering all the buildings, outhouses, sheds, garages, and homes that contain incredibly valuable things, while this set of keys costs less than £50 at the time of writing.

Unless you have the skills described in the previous chapter or some of the specialist tools—such as bump keys, comb picks, electric picks, pick guns, or even shims—you will be like 99% of the population that thinks a padlock or door lock is safe. The sad and honest truth is that you have been sold a lie.

“Locks only keep honest people out.” ...