Browse locksmiths across every London borough. Filter by MLA approval, physical premises, and area. All listings compiled from publicly available sources.
Find a locksmith for your area in minutes
Locked out of your home, office, or car? Many locksmiths listed here offer non destructive entry. Response times vary by location and availability.
Moved house or break in? British Standard BS3621 locks fitted for insurance compliance. Avg cost: £122 to £219.
Stiff locks, broken mechanisms, UPVC multipoint issues. Often cheaper than replacement. Avg: £89 to £162.
Car lockouts, key cutting, transponder programming. Mobile service. Avg: £134 to £237.
Emergency boarding up, lock replacement, door/frame repair, security upgrades. Available 24/7.
Safe opening, installation, CCTV, smart locks, access control, security grilles. Avg safe fitting: £154 to £269.
We note which locksmiths hold MLA (Master Locksmiths Association) approval, the industry's highest credential. MLA approved companies have passed exams, DBS checks, and regular inspections. 56 of our 75 listings hold this status.
Every listing is compiled from publicly available sources including the MLA directory, Checkatrade, TrustATrader, and company websites. We check for a real address, a working phone number, and a live website.
We are a directory, not a lead generation service. When you call a locksmith listed here, you contact them directly. We do not add referral fees to your bill and we do not operate a call centre.
A quote of £35 to £49 for an emergency lockout is almost always a bait and switch. The real price will be revealed once the locksmith arrives and you are in a vulnerable position. Genuine London pricing starts around £75.
Rogue operators typically have no verifiable business address. They use virtual offices or PO boxes. A genuine locksmith should be able to tell you where their shop or workshop is. Check Companies House for their registered address.
A qualified locksmith can gain non destructive entry in roughly 95% of cases. If the locksmith reaches for a drill immediately, they likely lack the skill to pick the lock. Drilling destroys the lock, which means you then pay for a replacement on top.
There is no government licensing of locksmiths in the UK, meaning anyone can call themselves a locksmith. MLA approval is the strongest credential available, requiring exams, DBS checks, insurance, and regular inspections.
Rogue operators often trade under generic names like "London Emergency Locksmith 24/7" with no named individuals. A legitimate business will have a company name, named directors (verifiable on Companies House), and a consistent brand.
A reputable locksmith will give you a clear price range over the phone before attending. If the operator says "we can only quote on site" or is vague about pricing, treat this as a red flag and call someone else.
The idea for this directory came from a simple frustration: searching "emergency locksmith London" on Google returns a page dominated by paid ads from call centres, generic aggregator sites, and operators with no way to check their credentials. The person standing outside their locked door at midnight has almost no way to tell who is legitimate and who is going to overcharge them.
We started by pulling every MLA approved locksmith in London from the Master Locksmiths Association's public directory, then cross referenced with Checkatrade, TrustATrader, and individual company websites. The result is a compiled list of 75+ locksmiths where every entry comes from a publicly verifiable source. We show real addresses, real phone numbers, and note any trade body memberships so you can check everything yourself.
We do not personally vet, endorse, or guarantee any locksmith listed here. What we do is make it easier for you to find locksmiths with publicly verifiable credentials (such as MLA approval) so you can make your own informed decision. We do not operate a call centre and we do not add referral fees to your bill.
The single most reliable indicator is MLA (Master Locksmiths Association) approval. The MLA is the UK's largest locksmith trade body, recognised by police forces and Neighbourhood Watch. To become approved, a locksmith company must employ at least one person who has passed the MLA Level 4 qualification, all staff must have DBS (criminal record) checks, and the company must carry valid public liability insurance. Approved companies are then regularly inspected to maintain standards.
Beyond MLA approval, look for locksmiths with a physical premises (shop, workshop, or office with a verifiable address), a track record of genuine customer reviews, transparent pricing given before attendance, and the ability to fit British Standard BS3621 locks as standard. 56 of the 75 locksmiths listed on this directory are MLA approved, and 42 have physical premises you could visit.
A good locksmith should also be honest about what you need. If your lock can be repaired rather than replaced, they should tell you. If your insurance requires a specific lock standard, they should check and advise accordingly.
A standard emergency lockout in London typically costs between £75 and £150 depending on the time of day, location, and lock type. Lock changes start from around £65 plus the cost of the new lock. Out of hours callouts may attract a premium. Always confirm the full price before authorising any work.
Average response times are 20 to 30 minutes for locksmiths with premises near your location. Mobile locksmiths may take slightly longer during peak traffic. Locksmiths using bike services (such as London Locks in Bow) can often respond within 15 minutes in inner London.
Check for MLA (Master Locksmiths Association) approval, which is verifiable on locksmiths.co.uk. Look for a real physical business address, named individuals rather than generic company names, and transparent pricing given over the phone before attendance. Be wary of companies advertising heavily on Google Ads with no verifiable address.
BS3621 is a British Standard for thief resistant locks. Most home insurance policies in the UK require BS3621 compliant locks on all external doors. The standard tests resistance to drilling, picking, and forced entry. Any MLA approved locksmith will carry BS3621 locks as standard.
Yes, strongly recommended. You have no way of knowing how many copies of the existing keys are in circulation with previous owners, tenants, estate agents, or tradespeople. A full lock change on both front and back doors typically costs £150 to £300 in London and is one of the most cost effective security measures you can take.
A qualified locksmith should be able to gain non destructive entry in approximately 95% of cases. This means no damage to your door or frame. If a locksmith immediately reaches for a drill, this is a red flag that they may lack the skills to pick the lock properly.
The Master Locksmiths Association is the UK's largest trade body for locksmiths. MLA approved companies have passed competency exams, undergone DBS (criminal record) checks, carry valid insurance, and are regularly inspected. The MLA is the only locksmith body recognised by UK police forces and Neighbourhood Watch.
Many home insurance policies cover emergency locksmith callouts, particularly after a burglary or lost keys. You will typically need to provide the locksmith invoice with their company details and, in the case of a burglary, the police crime reference number. Check your policy wording and keep all receipts.
Get listed and get more enquiries. Free to apply. Paid featured listings available.