Owen the Locksmith

Owen the Locksmith: independent mobile locksmith for Sussex and Hampshire

Owen the Locksmith is an independent mobile locksmith serving East Sussex, West Sussex and Hampshire. The business presents itself as a local alternative to national call-centre operations, with more than 17 years of experience in lock fitting, lock repairs, gaining entry after lockouts and repairs to uPVC and double-glazing doors and windows. The site reports over 8,600 customer reviews and a 5/5 rating from customers.

Owen works as a sole operator and attends both residential and commercial properties. The service is built around callouts: free price estimates are provided in advance, appointments are booked at a time chosen by the customer, and payment can be made by Visa or Mastercard on site or over the phone. A PDF invoice and guarantee are emailed on completion of the work where applicable.

Locksmith services for homes and businesses

The range of work covers the situations most commonly associated with a mobile locksmith:

• Gaining entry when a customer is locked out of a home or business.
• Same-day lock changes at a home or workplace.
• Repairs to locks damaged in a burglary, as well as replacement of damaged locks.
• Installation of additional locks and security hardware, including High Security and British Standard locks.
• Adjusting, repairing or replacing locks, handles, mechanisms and hinges on uPVC and double-glazing doors and windows.

For commercial premises, the service includes gaining entry to the building, repairing or replacing locks after a break-in, reinforcing security measures and carrying out security assessments.

How the service is organised

Owen describes a process based on direct contact with the person who will carry out the work. Estimates are sent in advance to the customer's chosen destination, and the appointment is scheduled to suit the property. After surveying the property, Owen makes security recommendations. The business states that it uses reliable manufacturers for the parts and mechanisms installed or fitted during repairs.

The site also sets out a series of commitments: a 12-month guarantee on all parts, £5 million liability insurance, DBS-checked status and acceptance of Visa and Mastercard. Owen presents these as the benefits of choosing an independent local locksmith over a call-centre operator.

Response times and emergency callouts

For locksmith emergencies, the business aims to offer a rapid response of 30 to 60 minutes. The site notes that travel times vary depending on how busy the day is and where Owen is at the time, and directs customers to call for a more accurate arrival time. The same-day lock change service is marked with an asterisk, indicating that it is subject to conditions.

Owen also handles cases where a customer is locked inside a property, gaining entry from the outside, often without damaging the door. A wide range of replacement locks is carried for these situations.

Locks, keys and repair decisions

The site addresses common questions about lock problems. A trained locksmith can open a door with a key left in the lock on the other side, whatever the position of the key, and can fit a replacement lock after gaining entry if necessary. A key stuck in a lock can be extracted, and if that is not possible, a quote for a replacement lock is provided. When keys are lost, changing the locks is recommended, particularly if it is unclear where they were lost.

On the choice between repair and replacement, Owen states that a lock fix may be possible if the lock is not too old, corroded or damaged, and that every effort is made to repair a lock when the customer asks for a repair. In cases of extreme damage after a break-in or accident, replacement or upgrading may be more economical, with the benefit of newer equipment, professional fitting and a minimum one-year guarantee. For people who have just moved into a property, changing the locks is usually recommended because it is not always known who has had keys or what copies have been made; tenants are advised to speak to their landlord about access.

Coverage across Sussex and Hampshire

The business attends callouts across East Sussex, West Sussex and Hampshire. The most popular locations listed are Bognor Regis, Brighton, Crawley, Littlehampton, Portsmouth and Worthing. The full list of areas covered on the site is:

• Bognor Regis, Barnham, Bosham, Chichester, East Wittering, Selsey and Westergate.
• Brighton, Hangleton, Henfield, Hollingbury, Hove, Hurstpierpoint, Patcham, Portslade, Seven Dials, Shoreham-by-Sea, Southwick, West Blatchington and Withdean.
• Crawley, Billingshurst, Burgess Hill, Crawley Down, Haywards Heath, Horsham and Southwater.
• Littlehampton, Angmering, Arundel, East Preston, Pulborough, Rustington and Yapton.
• Portsmouth, Emsworth, Fareham, Havant, Portchester, Southsea and Waterlooville.
• Worthing, Findon, Goring-by-Sea, Lancing, Steyning, Storrington and West Chiltington.

The site invites customers to get in touch if their area is not listed.

Checking that a locksmith is genuine

The site includes guidance on distinguishing a local locksmith from what it calls locksmith syndicates, national call centres that, according to the business, may use AI-generated local phone numbers and polished websites while charging up to three times the standard rate. Owen suggests four checks: speaking directly to the locksmith who will do the work, verifying the business name and a local landline starting with 01, checking professional credentials such as a sign-written van, company uniform and DBS-checked status, and looking for a long, transparent review history on platforms such as Checkatrade, Trustist or Google. The site also lists red flags, including a "starting from £49" quote given over the phone, refusal to give a fixed price and insistence on drilling out a lock before trying non-destructive entry.