Van Shielding Plate Installation Newcastle
A high-quality lock is only as strong as the door it's mounted to. Shielding plates protect the lock itself from drilling, hammering, and pry attacks — hardening the full assembly against determined thieves.
What Are Shielding Plates?
A shielding plate — also called an armour plate or anti-drill plate — is a hardened steel plate fitted around the external face of your van's security locks. It forms a protective collar around the lock body, guarding the most vulnerable parts of the lock mechanism from direct attack.
The plate prevents or severely slows three common attack methods: drilling into the lock cylinder to destroy the pins, punching the lock body through the door skin with a hammer and punch tool, and prying around the lock face to lever it out of the door. Each of these attacks depends on access to the lock face itself — and a properly fitted shielding plate denies that access entirely.
Shielding plates are especially important when you have invested in high-quality deadlocks or hook locks. An expensive lock with no shielding is a lock mounted in a thin metal door — the door is the weak point. A shielding plate covers that gap, so the thief has to defeat hardened steel before they can even touch the lock.
What Shielding Plates Protect Against
Drill Attacks
Thieves use cordless drills with hardened bits to destroy the pins inside the lock cylinder. Shielding plates use hardened, drill-resistant steel that blunts bits and deflects drill pressure away from the cylinder.
Punch-Through Attacks
A hammer and punch tool can be used to drive the entire lock body through the door skin, bypassing the lock entirely. Shielding plates spread the impact force across a much wider area of the door.
Pry & Lever Attacks
A pry bar wedged against the lock face can lever the lock out of the door or distort the door skin until the lock no longer secures. Shielding plates create a hardened, flush surface with no lip to pry against.
Shielding Plate FAQs
How much do shielding plates cost?+
Shielding plate supply and fitting typically ranges from £60–£110 per lock, depending on the lock type and your van model. We provide a free, no-obligation quote.
Do I need shielding plates on every lock?+
We recommend shielding plates on all external deadlocks and hook locks. The plates are most valuable on rear and side loading doors — the doors thieves target most. We'll advise on the best coverage for your specific setup.
Can shielding plates be fitted to existing locks?+
In most cases, yes. Shielding plates can often be retrofitted to existing deadlock and hook lock installations. We'll assess your current locks and confirm compatibility. If your locks were recently fitted, adding plates is straightforward.
Will shielding plates rust or corrode?+
Quality shielding plates are manufactured from hardened steel with corrosion-resistant finishes designed for long-term outdoor exposure. Proper installation includes sealing around the plate edges to prevent moisture ingress.
Do shielding plates affect lock operation?+
No — when correctly fitted, the shielding plate surrounds but does not interfere with the lock mechanism. Your key operates exactly as before, and the lock throws and retracts normally. We test every lock after fitting to confirm smooth operation.
Harden Your Van's Locks
Shielding plates from £60 per lock. Free quote, mobile fitting, professional installation. Protect what you've already invested in.