Anti-snap locks could stop burglars breaking into homes using a technique which started in Bradford and is responsible for one in four burglaries in West Yorkshire.

Social enterprise Community Action and Support Against Crime (CASAC) is urging residents with “vulnerable and cheap” euro-cylinder door locks to replace them with ones which meet a new industry standard created to thwart burglars.

Neil Goldup, chief executive of CASAC, which works with the police, residents and other agencies to improve community safety, said: “We are delighted that finally the TS007 standard has been introduced and that manufacturers are now developing door cylinders that meet these standards to combat issues around lock snapping.”

The lock-snapping technique used to exploit euro-cylinder locks originated in Bradford and has since spread across Yorkshire.

A police spokesman said the force had called for a new industry standard to make sure any locks were tested “as robustly as possible” before coming to market.

A Harden pensioner had a new front door lock fitted by CASAC after a friend spotted her previous lock was “vulnerable”.

She said: “He had seen a documentary on television and spotted I had one of those locks. I thought the lock looked secure, but I was told there was a way they could twiddle with it to get in. This lock is impenetrable and it gives me peace of mind.”

A CASAC spokesman said the lock cost £40 and could be fitted by the organisation for £75. For more information, or a free security assessment, call CASAC on 0845 519 2122 or book online at casac.org.uk.

For crime prevention advice, call the non-emergency number 101.