Can A Thief Easily Cut Through Your Padlocks And Chains?

By David Goult | November 27, 2025.

One of a thief’s favourite ‘tools of trade’ is a bolt cutter. More often than not, a thief will arrive at his target ready with a bolt cutter in hand to cut the padlock and chain from your premises to gain quick and easy access to your belongings.

Quite often these belongings will be of great significance as you thought it important they were secured with a chain and padlock in the first place. You may be trying to protect a shed full of electric tools, or a boat, or even your prized tractor.

But are your chain and padlock resistant to an attack from a thief’s bolt cutter?

Often the thief will need to work fast, he will be in a hurry to ‘get in and get out’ without being detected. Imagine his joy when he is greeted with a flimsy chain and padlock when ‘on the job’. He knows he will be able to cut the chain or lock’s shackle quite quickly and easily and be able to gain access to your belongings in an instant!

If your padlock and chain are made from thinner materials your security could be compromised. As well if your lock’s shackle is thinner and more exposed, it will be less secure. The thinner the materials your padlock and chains are made from - the weaker and less secure they will be! So it goes the thicker the materials your padlock and chains are made from - the stronger and more secure they will be and be able to protect your belongings more efficiently!

So how do you tell if your padlock and chains are of a strength that can withstand a bolt cutter?

For maximum security it is best if the padlock to be used complies with The Australian Standard AS 4145.4. The Australian Standard AS 4145.4 enables the true evaluation of the physical security and corrosion resistance of padlocks by using testing for strength, security, function and corrosion. As a result of these tests, the security ratings applied are classified in ten grades, based on performance tests that simulate attack.

These include:

  1. Minimum number of effective key differs or effective combinations
  2. Torque on key
  3. Resistance to force or torque on cylinder plug or locking mechanism
  4. Resistance to pulling, twisting or cutting of shackle
  5. Resistance to impact on padlock body and shackle at low temp
  6. Resistance to drilling of padlock body, shackle and staple
  7. Resistance to sawing of padlock body, shackle (and staple where applicable)
  8. Durability (minimum requirement)
  9. Corrosion (minimum requirement)
  10. Keying Security (AS4145.2)

Chains are also tested using the same test requirements and carry the appropriate Lockwood security rating.
Model house with chains and a padlock on a white background

So for peace of mind for your padlock’s and chain’s:

  • Physical Security
  • Keying Security
  • Durability
  • Corrosion Resistance

... it is best to select these items based on the Australian Standards AS4145.1, AS4145.2 and AS4145.4.

Need Professional Help?

At Blacks Mobile Locksmith in Beenleigh, we have a great range of bolt resistant locks and chains that meet with these standards. So check out what could best suit your situation - and stop a thief’s easy access to your belongings! Call now on (07) 3382 0755 - to discuss your security needs!

0 comments

Leave a comment