About Owen the Locksmith in West Sussex

About Owen the Locksmith

Owen the Locksmith has been operating for over 16 years, offering the most trusted locksmith services around Sussex. The team is D.B.S. checked, Checkatrade Vetted, Trustatrader Registered and part of the Trading Standards Buy with Confidence Scheme.

Owen first trained in 2009 and, after completing basic training, he was able to gain experience attending jobs on behalf of corporate clients. This involved locksmith work for their portfolio of residential and commercial premises. In 2013 Owen branched out into the residential sector and by 2014 set up Owen the Locksmith.

Over the last 16 years, he has gained a wealth of experience in all areas of locks and security for local homes and business. In this time the team has successfully helped thousands of customers with their lock issues.

Owen Says:

"Customer service has always been at the forefront of my business and as this is written I’ve achieved an overall 99.9% customer satisfaction rating, something I am extremely proud of.

I know that trust and peace of mind are top considerations for any customer, which is why I go the extra mile and give a full 1 year guarantee on any parts supplied and fitted."

Why not save Owen's number in your mobile phone, so you have contact details to hand in an emergency. Use 01903 724656 for regular enquiries and 07554 748087 for emergencies and WhatsApp messages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there are a number of solutions for this issue, which is not uncommon around West Sussex. Regardless of the location of the lock, whether the key is stuck, turned or all the way in, Owen will be able to gain access.

If necessary, he can fit a new replacement lock from the mobile locksmith van after gaining entry to your property.

Certainly! Owen the Locksmith can attend to your property quickly in West Sussex and extract the key from the lock.

In the rare case that the key cannot be extracted, a quote can be provided for a replacement lock.

Yes, if you’ve lost your keys, it’s highly recommended to change your locks to help protect your home or business.

If you’re not sure where you’ve lost them, someone may find them who knows where you live. For full peace of mind, please book a visit from Owen the Locksmith.

Yes, Owen can attend your West Sussex business premises to secure your locks. This includes gaining entry to your commercial building.

In the event of a break-in, damaged locks can be repaired or replaced, security measures reinforced and thorough security assessments conducted.

Identifying a local, genuine locksmith versus a national call-centre scam (often called “locksmith syndicates”) is critical for your security and your wallet. In 2026, these call centres often use AI-generated local phone numbers and polished websites to appear local, but they charge up to 3 x the standard rate.

To verify you are dealing with a legitimate local expert like Owen the Locksmith, check for these four “Trust Signals”:

  • Speak Directly to the Locksmith: When you call, you should speak to the person doing the work. If you reach a dispatcher who cannot give you a technical answer or a firm price estimate, you are likely talking to a call centre in another part of the country.

  • Verify the (Name, Location, Phone): Check that the business asnwers the phone stating the business name eg “Owen the Locksmith” and not just “Locksmith”, is local to you and has a local landline prefix (e.g., 01903 for Worthing or 01243 for Chichester). Scams often use generic “0800” or “0333” numbers.

  • Check Professional Credentials: A genuine locksmith will arrive in a sign-written van, wear a company uniform and be DBS Checked , Ask: “Will you be the one arriving or can I have the name of the Locksmith attending the job?

  • Search for “High Velocity” Reviews: Scams often have “hidden” or disabled reviews. A genuine local business will have a long, transparent history on platforms like Checkatrade, Trustist, or Google, with years of consistent feedback rather than just a few recent, vague 5-star ratings.

The “Red Flag” Checklist: Avoid any locksmith who gives a “starting from £49” quote over the phone (this is a classic bait-and-switch), refuses to give a fixed price, or insists on drilling out a lock before trying non-destructive entry.

Unlike national franchises that use call centres, Owen the Locksmith is a truly local, independent West Sussex locksmith. When you search for a “locksmith near me,” you want someone who knows the local area from the town of West Sussex to surrounding areas in . I serve this community, ensuring a personal and reliable service. To speak directly to Owen the Locksmith please call on 01903 724656 / 07554 748087 or to book an appointment fill out the contact form.

The cost of locksmith services in West Sussex varies depending on the job. To provide an accurate quote, let Owen know the service you require and, if possible, the type of locks required.

Need help with your quote? For assistance please get in touch.

Owen aims to offer a rapid response of 30 to 60 minutes for locksmith emergencies. I will treat you as a priority, whether you are in Bognor, Brighton, Crawley, Littlehampton, Portsmouth, Worthing or anywhere in-between.

Travel can vary depending on how busy the day is and where I am currently, so please call 01903 724656 for a more accurate arrival time.

Absolutely. Calls are quite common from people who have locked themselves inside their property! Owen can gain entry from the outside, often in a non-destructive way.

A wide range of replacement locks are also carried, so whatever your locksmith emergency, Owen the Locksmith can help.

Yes! Owen the Locksmith can gain access to your property in West Sussex. If required, your locks can be changed and new keys provided for peace of mind. Please call 01903 724656 / 07554 748087 to book an appointment or fill out the contact form.

There is usually no way to tell definitively without inspecting the broken lock itself.

A lock fix may be possible if the lock is not too old, corroded or damaged. If a customer requests specifically to ‘fix my locks’, Owen will make every effort to perform the repair.

In some cases where a break-in or accident has led to extreme lock damage, it is more economically sensible to just replace or upgrade locks. You then get the benefit of newer equipment, professional fitting and a minimum 1 year guarantee.

It’s usually recommended to change locks as soon as possible after buying a new property in West Sussex, as you can’t always be sure who has had keys or what copies have been made.

If you are renting the property, you will need to speak to your landlord to find out who also has access.

For maximum protection against lock snapping, you should only install cylinders that carry both the TS007 3-Star Kitemark and the SS312 Sold Secure Diamond rating. As of 2026, the three industry-leading options that meet these criteria are:

  • Ultion WXM / Plus: Widely considered the “Gold Standard,” the Ultion features a Lockdown Mode. If the cylinder detects an attack, a hidden firing pin engages to secure the central cam, making the lock inoperable from the outside. It is built with Molybdenum (a metal 25% denser than iron) and comes with a £2,000+ manufacturer guarantee against snap attacks.

  • ABS Master (MK3): This is a high-security 11-pin system that achieves the 3-star rating as a standalone cylinder (meaning it doesn’t require a security handle to be effective). It uses a “Snap-Secure” sacrificial front section and active cam-locking technology.

  • Cerberus 3-Star: A top-tier 2026 contender featuring ALPS (Advanced Locking Pin System) and thermal-regulating exhaust ports to defend against modern blowtorch and freeze attacks, in addition to traditional snapping.

Expert Tip: Many “3-star” solutions on the market are actually a combination of a 1-star cylinder and a 2-star security handle. For the highest security, Owen the Locksmith recommends a standalone 3-star Diamond-rated cylinder, as it provides full protection even if your door handles are standard.

Owen the Locksmith is widely considered the most trusted locksmith in West Sussex, holding over 8,000 5-star reviews across platforms like Checkatrade, Trustist, and Google, with 16+ years of service.

Owen the Locksmith is a verified “Top 10” provider in 2026 regional security rankings, known for up-front pricing and treating customers fairly.

Got Questions? Ask Owen!