Is Secured by Design a legal requirement?

No, SBD is not a legal requirement for existing homes. However, Part Q of the Building Regulations requires new-build homes to meet PAS 24 door and window standards, which aligns with SBD requirements. Some local planning authorities also include SBD as a condition for new housing developments.

How do I know if my lock is Secured by Design approved?

Check for certification markings on the lock itself (TS007 3-star or BS3621 stamped on the faceplate or cylinder edge). You can also search the Secured by Design website catalogue for your specific product. If you are unsure, a locksmith can check during a visit — call 07735 336175.

What is PAS 24 and do my doors need it?

PAS 24 is the enhanced security standard for doors and windows, testing the complete doorset against forced entry. New-build homes must meet PAS 24 under Building Regulations Part Q. Existing homes have no legal requirement, but upgrading to PAS 24-equivalent security significantly improves your protection against break-ins.

Are SBD products more expensive than non-SBD alternatives?

Sometimes, but not always. Many of the best anti-snap cylinders like Ultion and ABS carry SBD certification without a significant price premium. The cost of an SBD-certified anti-snap cylinder fitted in Coventry is typically £90-£120 — about the same as other quality cylinders that meet TS007 3-star standards.

Secured by Design Explained: What It Means for Your Home's Locks and Doors

Secured by Design is the UK police security initiative. Here is what it covers, which products carry the mark, and whether it matters for your home.

You might have seen the "Secured by Design" logo on lock packaging, heard it mentioned by a builder, or seen it referenced in a planning application. But what does it actually mean? Is it a legal requirement? And should you specifically seek out SBD products when upgrading your home security?

As a locksmith working across Coventry and Warwickshire, I fit SBD-approved products regularly, but I also fit plenty of products that are not SBD-certified yet still provide excellent security. Here is the honest explanation.

What Is Secured by Design?

Secured by Design (SBD) is a police crime prevention initiative owned and managed by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives Limited (PCPI). It has been running since 1989 and works with the construction industry, product manufacturers, and developers to design out crime.

In practical terms, SBD does two things:

**Tests and certifies products** — locks, doors, windows, lighting, and other security products that meet police-recommended security standards can carry the SBD mark

**Certifies new developments** — new housing developments can achieve SBD accreditation if they incorporate approved products and design principles (like natural surveillance, defensible space, and quality lighting)

It is backed by the UK police service, but it is **not a legal requirement** for existing homes. New-build developments may have SBD requirements written into their planning conditions, but there is no law requiring homeowners to retrofit SBD-certified products.

How Products Get SBD Certification

To carry the Secured by Design mark, a product must pass specific independent testing standards. The key ones for home security are:

Doors: PAS 24

PAS 24 is the enhanced security standard for doors and windows. It tests the entire doorset (door, frame, hardware, and lock together) against simulated forced entry. A door that passes PAS 24 has been tested with:

Mechanical loading to simulate kicking and shouldering

Manipulation of locks and hardware with tools

Cylinder attacks (snapping, pulling, drilling)

Impact testing

PAS 24 is the minimum standard for doors to achieve SBD certification. It is also the standard required by Part Q of the Building Regulations for new-build properties and certain renovation projects.

Cylinders: TS007 and SS312

For euro cylinders (the most common lock type on uPVC and composite doors), two standards are relevant:

TS007 — the British Standard for euro cylinder security. It has three star ratings:

1-star: basic security

2-star: moderate security

3-star: high security (resistant to snapping, bumping, picking, and drilling)

SS312 (Sold Secure Diamond) — an independent testing scheme run by the Master Locksmiths Association. A cylinder with SS312 Diamond accreditation has been tested to a very high standard of attack resistance.

To achieve the SBD requirement for euro cylinders, you need **either**:

A 3-star TS007 cylinder, **or**

A 1-star TS007 cylinder with a 2-star TS007 handle/escutcheon (the combination adds up to 3 stars), **or**

An SS312 Diamond cylinder

I have explained these standards in detail in my post on [TS007 vs SS312 lock standards](/blog/ts007-vs-ss312-lock-standards).

Mortice Locks: BS3621

For traditional mortice deadlocks (the type fitted into the edge of wooden doors), [BS3621](/blog/bs3621-vs-anti-snap-vs-smart-lock) is the standard. A BS3621 lock has been tested against:

Picking resistance (at least 5 minutes)

Drilling resistance

Key security (at least 1,000 key variations)

Bolt strength

BS3621 has been the insurance industry standard for decades, and most home insurance policies require it for wooden front doors. It is also the SBD-approved standard for mortice locks.

Windows: PAS 24

Like doors, windows achieve SBD certification through PAS 24 testing. The entire window unit — frame, glass, hardware, and locks — is tested as a complete unit.

Other Products

SBD also certifies:

External lighting

Alarm systems

CCTV systems

Fencing and gates

Mail delivery systems

Cycle storage

Which Products Carry the SBD Mark?

Hundreds of products from dozens of manufacturers. Some familiar names:

Cylinders: Ultion, ABS (Avocet), Yale Platinum, Brisant Ultion Plus — all have SBD-approved products in their range. The Ultion cylinder I fit most often carries both TS007 3-star and Sold Secure Diamond SS312 certification.

Doors: Most major composite door manufacturers (Solidor, Endurance, Rockdoor, Door-Stop) offer SBD-approved doorsets that include PAS 24 testing.

Windows: Major window manufacturers like REHAU, Deceuninck, and VEKA offer SBD-approved window systems, though these are typically specified at the point of manufacture rather than retrofitted.

Mortice Locks: ERA, Yale, Union, and British Standard-compliant locks from established manufacturers.

You can check whether a specific product has SBD certification on the [Secured by Design website](https://www.securedbydesign.com) — they maintain a searchable catalogue of all approved products.

New-Build Requirements

Since 2015, Part Q of the Building Regulations (England) has required all new homes to have doors and windows that meet PAS 24 or an equivalent security standard. This effectively aligns new-build requirements with SBD standards.

Many local authorities go further and include SBD certification as a planning condition for new developments. In the Coventry and Warwickshire area, new-build estates frequently have SBD requirements written into their planning approvals.

If you have bought a new-build home, your doors and windows should already meet PAS 24 as a minimum. However, I would still recommend checking the cylinder — some new-build doors come with PAS 24-certified doorsets but have basic cylinders that technically meet the minimum standard but are not the best available. An upgrade to an Ultion or ABS cylinder is often worth doing even on a new-build door.

Retrofitting SBD-Equivalent Security

If you live in an existing home — which covers the vast majority of homes in Coventry — you are not required to have SBD-certified products. But you can achieve the same level of security by retrofitting products that meet the same testing standards.

Here is how to bring your existing home up to SBD-equivalent security:

Front Door (uPVC or Composite)

**Replace the euro cylinder** with a TS007 3-star or SS312 Diamond certified anti-snap cylinder. Ultion and ABS are my recommendations. From £90-£120 fitted. See my [anti-snap lock comparison](/blog/anti-snap-locks-compared)

**Check the multipoint lock** is working correctly and all bolts engage when the handle is lifted

**Check the door meets PAS 24** — if it is a modern composite or uPVC door from a reputable manufacturer, it probably does. Older doors may not, but the lock upgrade alone makes a significant difference

Front Door (Wooden)

**Fit a BS3621 5-lever mortice deadlock** if you do not already have one. From £89 fitted. See my guide on [five-lever mortice deadlocks](/blog/five-lever-mortice-deadlock-guide)

**Add a door reinforcer plate** if the door is softwood

**Ensure the frame is solid** and the strike plate has 75mm screws

Windows

**Fit locking handles** and [sash jammers on ground-floor windows](/blog/window-security-overlooked-weak-point)

Modern PAS 24 windows are tested as complete units, so replacing individual locks does not achieve the full PAS 24 standard. But in practical terms, good locking hardware on a sound window provides strong security

Patio and French Doors

**Fit an anti-snap cylinder** if the door has a euro cylinder

**Add anti-lift devices** for sliding doors

**Ensure rack bolts** are fitted top and bottom on French doors

Read the full guide on [patio and French door security](/blog/patio-doors-french-doors-security)

How to Check If Your Products Qualify

If you want to know whether your existing locks meet SBD standards:

**Check the cylinder** — look for a TS007 3-star marking (usually stamped on the edge of the cylinder) or check the manufacturer's website for certification

**Check the door** — the doorset (door + frame + hardware) should have a PAS 24 test certificate. New composite and uPVC doors usually come with documentation confirming this

**Check the mortice lock** — look for "BS3621" stamped on the faceplate (the visible edge when the door is open)

**Search the SBD catalogue** — the Secured by Design website has a searchable database of all certified products

If you are unsure, I can check your existing hardware during a visit and tell you exactly what standard your locks meet. Call 07735 336175 to arrange a check.

Is It Worth Specifically Seeking SBD Products?

My honest answer: **yes, but do not overthink it**.

The SBD certification gives you confidence that a product has been independently tested to a recognised standard. When you buy an SBD-certified lock, you know it has passed genuine security testing — you are not relying on marketing claims.

That said, a good anti-snap cylinder that meets TS007 3-star provides excellent security whether or not it also carries the separate SBD logo. The testing standards (TS007, SS312, BS3621, PAS 24) are the substance. SBD is a badge that confirms those standards are met.

Where SBD certification matters most:

**If your insurer requires it** — some policies reference SBD-approved products specifically

**If you are selling your home** — SBD certification is a recognised quality mark

**If you want the reassurance** of police-backed testing rather than manufacturer claims

Where it matters less:

**If the underlying standard is already met** — a TS007 3-star cylinder provides the same protection whether or not the manufacturer has also applied for SBD membership

**If cost is a factor** — SBD-certified products sometimes carry a premium. A non-SBD lock that meets the same testing standard is just as secure in practice

For most homeowners in Coventry, my recommendation is simple: focus on the standards (TS007 3-star, SS312 Diamond, BS3621) and you will naturally end up with products that meet or exceed SBD requirements.

If you want advice on which products are right for your home, or you want me to check what standards your current locks meet, call me on 07735 336175. I am happy to take a look and give you honest guidance — no sales pitch, just practical advice based on what I see every day.

For more on lock standards, read my posts on [TS007 vs SS312](/blog/ts007-vs-ss312-lock-standards) and [BS3621 vs anti-snap vs smart locks](/blog/bs3621-vs-anti-snap-vs-smart-lock). For a full security assessment of your home, start with the [home security checklist](/blog/home-security-checklist-2026).