When we think about securing our homes, we often focus on the obvious: strong locks, alarms, cameras, and secure windows. But one of the most overlooked vulnerabilities sits right in the middle of your front door — your letterbox.
It’s easy to dismiss a letterbox as nothing more than a slot for receiving post. Yet, for criminals, it can serve as a quiet and effective point of entry.
From stealing car keys to reaching your internal locks, an unsecured letterbox can allow access to thieves and put your entire home at risk. That’s why understanding and improving letterbox security is essential for every modern household.
In this post, we’ll explore how burglars exploit letterboxes, the risks involved, and what steps you can take to protect your property, such as keeping valuables out of sight or installing a letterbox lock.
What is Letterbox Burglary?
Letterbox burglary — also known as “fishing” — is when criminals use tools to reach through a home’s letter plate and unlock the door from the inside or retrieve items like keys, wallets, or car fobs. This crime has become increasingly common as motor vehicle security has improved, as it provides an easier way to steal cars.
In most cases, the technique is fast, quiet, and leaves no visible signs of forced entry. A basic hook, stick, or wire loop is all it takes to grab car keys from a hallway table or twist a thumbturn lock to open the door.
What makes this method especially dangerous is how little effort it requires. There’s no need to break a window or force entry, meaning there’s far less noise and a lower chance of being spotted. Since there’s no broken glass or noticeable damage, the crime can go undetected for longer, giving burglars more time to make their escape.
It’s a particularly common technique in urban areas of the UK — especially in homes with glazed front doors, minimal entry lighting, or layouts that make valuables easy to see and reach. Despite this, letterbox security is often overlooked by homeowners.
Why Modern Homes Need Better Letterbox Security
Home design has evolved in recent years. Doors with large glass panes, minimalist hallways, and smart gadgets on display are now the norm. While visually appealing or convenient, these features can make your home more vulnerable to letterbox-related crime.
Minimalist Layouts and Open Sightlines
In many modern properties, the front door opens directly into a minimalist hallway or open-plan space. For maximum convenience, it’s common for keys to be left on nearby sideboards, hooks, or console tables — all within easy reach of the door.
Burglars often scope out properties looking for these signs of lax letterbox security. A quick glance through the glass or even a test fishing attempt might be all it takes to target your home.
The Rise of Smart Devices and Connected Homes
Homes are increasingly filled with smart tech, including smart home locks, thermostats, speakers, and even vehicles. While smart homes are designed for convenience, they require just as much attention to physical access points as regular homes.
Your letterbox could be the weakest link in your otherwise high-tech security setup. If criminals use it to access your keys, they may also gain entry to connected areas of the home that don’t have smart security, such as garages, vehicles, or back entrances.
A Focus on Door Hardware – But Not the Letterbox
Homeowners often invest in strong deadbolts, reinforced hinges, and smart cameras — all great steps. But letterbox security is sometimes an afterthought.
Even with a high-security lock, a letterbox can undermine your home security efforts if it allows criminals to reach inside and turn that very lock from the inside.
As Metropolitan Police guidance points out, no lock is effective if a burglar can bypass it by reaching inside. If your letterbox is less than 40cm from your internal door lock, it could be vulnerable to burglars.
Effective Ways to Improve Letterbox Security
Fortunately, improving your letterbox security doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With a few safety and security improvements, you can eliminate the most common risks.
Fit a Letterbox Lock or Restrictor
A letterbox lock or restrictor is a simple internal mechanism that limits how far the flap can be opened or prevents tools from being inserted. Some restrictors operate with an internal cage or guard that blocks access beyond the plate.
These additions are effective against fishing attempts and can usually be retrofitted to existing doors. Restrictors are discreet, inexpensive, and recommended by police and crime prevention officers alike.
Install a Lockable External Post Box
If your door design allows, removing the letter plate entirely and using a wall-mounted, lockable post box is an excellent option. Not only does this eliminate the fishing risk entirely, but it also prevents post from piling up inside your door — a common sign to burglars that a home has been unoccupied for a stretch of time.
External post boxes are also useful for homes with pets that might chew, scatter, or damage incoming post, or for homeowners concerned about poor letterbox security facilitating identity theft.
Keep Keys and Valuables Out of Sight
While it may seem convenient to leave keys or other items near the front door, this habit makes them easy targets for thieves. To be safe, make sure to never leave keys:
- In the lock (this can invalidate your insurance)
- On hallway tables or shelves within reach of the letterbox
- Hanging on visible hooks
- Inside visible bowls or baskets near the entrance
Instead, store them in a secure key box elsewhere in the house, a closed drawer, or somewhere well out of reach of the door.
Visible valuables also make your home a more attractive target, so try to keep expensive items away from the door or hidden from view.
Though it sounds simple, reducing temptation and limiting access are some of the simplest yet most effective forms of home protection.
How Letterbox Security Fits Into Your Overall Home Security Strategy
It’s easy to think of letterbox security as a small part of your home’s defence — but it plays a vital role in the overall effectiveness of your setup.
Reinforcing Existing Measures
Think of your front door as a system, not just a slab of wood or material. You might have a strong lock, but if a burglar can unlock it through the letterbox, your security has already failed. A restrictor or letterbox lock ensures your physical barriers actually function as intended.
Preventing Crime Before It Starts
According to The Guardian, visible security is the best deterrent to opportunistic criminals. If a home has reinforced doors, locked gates, CCTV, security lighting — and no easy access via the letterbox — it’s far less likely to be targeted.
Letterbox security doesn’t just protect against burglary, either. It reduces risks of arson (by preventing flammable materials being posted), pet interference with important post, and identity theft from stolen documents.
Frequently Asked Questions About Letterbox Security
Q: How common is letterbox burglary in the UK?
A: It’s more common than most homeowners realise. Many police forces include letterbox burglary prevention in their standard home safety advice.
Q: Can burglars really unlock doors through a letterbox?
A: Yes. If your door has a thumbturn lock or keys left nearby, a basic tool can allow an intruder to unlock the door in seconds.
Q: Are letterbox restrictors enough on their own?
A: They’re very effective when used as part of a layered security approach. Combine them with good locks, smart doorbells, and motion lighting for full protection.
Q: Should I remove my letterbox completely?
A: Not necessarily. A secure internal restrictor or an external post box provides ample protection in most cases without needing to redesign your door.
Q: Will letterbox security upgrades affect the look of my home?
A: Most modern restrictors and post boxes are designed to be discreet and stylish. They can blend in with your existing door design without drawing attention.
Protect Your Home with Expert Advice from County Secure
At County Secure, we understand that real home security comes down to details. That’s why we help homeowners across Surrey identify and address the small weak points that burglars exploit — like the humble letterbox.
Our experienced team provides tailored advice and professional installation of high-quality letterbox security products, including reinforced letter plates with internal shielding, letterbox locks, letterbox restrictors, internal cages, external post boxes, and additional door protection.
Whether you’re securing a new build, upgrading an existing door, or simply want peace of mind, we’re here to help you take the next step with cost-effective security and safety services.
Get in touch today to discuss how we can help secure your home against letterbox-related threats.