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How Thieves Break Into Garages and How to Stop Them

Garages don’t always feel like part of the home. They’re sometimes seen as storage space, or just somewhere to keep the car. But if a garage is easy to get into, it can also become a quiet way into your house.

In many cases, it’s not even difficult. A door might be left unlocked, a remote left in the car, or a release cord left exposed. These things don’t always seem like a big deal, but they’re exactly what burglars look for.

In this post, we’ll look at the main ways thieves break into garages, and some easy ways to make yours safer, without needing a moat or guard dog.

How Most Garage Break-Ins Happen

Many garage break-ins don’t involve much effort. Often, someone will walk around a neighbourhood looking for places where less care has been taken. If something looks quick to enter, it might be tried.

Here are some of the more common methods:

Using the emergency release

Most electric or motorised garage doors have a cord inside that lets you open the door by hand if the power cuts out. With a wire or hook, that cord can be pulled from the outside, usually by slipping it through the top of the door.

Think of it like pulling a fire alarm from outside – not ideal if you’re trying to keep things secure.

Weak locks on side doors

A lot of side garage doors have basic locks, often the kind used indoors. These can sometimes be forced open with very little effort.

If your side garage door lock needs upgrading, it might be time to speak with a garage locksmith who can help improve the security.

We were recently called out to a property where the side door had been popped open using a flathead screwdriver. The lock had never been replaced since the house was built in the early 2000s, which was obvious from the avocado-coloured paintwork.

Brute force attacks

Sometimes, it’s not about cleverness, it’s just about force. If a garage door or side entry is weak, a determined intruder might just kick, pry, or ram their way in.

Older doors, thin panels, or loose frames are more vulnerable. Reinforcing doors and frames, and installing solid-core doors, can help resist this kind of entry.

Remote controls left in vehicles

If the garage remote is kept inside the car, and the car is parked outside, it might be taken. A thief doesn’t need much time to get in and grab it.

Leaving it in the visor is like gift-wrapping the front door key and leaving it on the dashboard.

Windows with a clear view inside

If tools, bikes or other equipment can be seen through a window, a garage becomes more of a target. What’s inside will often affect whether a break-in is attempted.

No internal security

In some houses, the garage leads directly into the kitchen or hallway. If the connecting door isn’t locked or reinforced, a criminal in the garage may be just a few steps from the main living room. It’s well worth upgrading the internal door lock if you believe it’s not suitable.

Simple Ways to Make a Garage More Secure

You don’t need to install anything complicated. Some of the most effective changes are low-cost and can be done quite quickly. The goal is to make the garage harder to access without drawing too much attention.

1. Stop easy access to the release cord

A shield or block can be fitted to stop tools reaching it from the outside.
Zip ties can also be used to hold the cord in place, while still allowing emergency use.

2. Improve the side door

Swap out the basic lock for a deadbolt or more secure option.
If the door feels thin or hollow, it may be worth replacing.

3. Upgrade locks on the main garage door

Some up-and-over, roller, or folding garage doors still rely on older locking systems that can be forced open.
These can often be replaced with modern, more secure locks, or backed up with internal bars or ground bolts.

In several homes across our area, we’ve seen standard garage door locks that no longer line up properly due to years of wear. At that point, the door’s more decorative than defensive.

4. Make windows harder to see through

A frosted film or simple cover can block the view without removing natural light.
Large items should be moved out of sight, where possible.

5. Keep the remote out of the car

Store the remote inside the house, or use a smaller one that stays on your keys.
Another option is to switch to a smart opener controlled by your phone. (These are usually used with motorised garage doors.)

6. Use lighting to your advantage

A light that turns on when movement is detected can be enough to make someone walk away.
Lights near the garage entrance or side door are usually most helpful.

At the very least, it stops the cat setting off your imagination every time it strolls past at 2am.

A Few More Helpful Ideas

Not every garage needs an alarm system. But there are a few extras you can consider, depending on what you store inside and where your garage is placed:

A basic sensor to alert you when the door is left open.
A timed closer, so the garage shuts after a set period. (This is only suitable for motorised doors.)
A ground bolt or door bar, fitted inside to stop the door being lifted.
A camera pointed at the driveway or entrance.

→ For help with adding physical reinforcements like locks or bolts, you could also get advice from a trusted garage locksmith who knows what works best.

What’s Really at Risk?

Some garages only hold tools and bikes. Others store valuable garden equipment or extra fridges. And sometimes, the garage is simply used to get into the house.

If someone is able to enter the garage without being noticed, they may have more time than usual. Especially if the space is at the back of the house or not overlooked by neighbours.

In most cases, it’s not about locking everything down completely. It’s about removing the easy ways in, and maybe not leaving your power tools on full display under a window.

What to Take Away

It’s easy to forget about garage security. Other parts of the home often get more attention. But garages can be one of the first places someone will try.

That doesn’t mean everything needs to be changed or upgraded. In most cases, just a few adjustments can make a real difference.

Things like:

Fixing weak or old locks
Making sure windows don’t show too much
Moving the garage remote indoors
Adding some light near the door

These small steps make it harder for someone to break in without being seen or heard. And that’s usually enough to make them leave it alone.

Many of the most common problems can be sorted quite easily. If you’re not sure where to start, we’re happy to give honest advice based on your garage type and setup. You don’t need to book anything, just ask.