Banham

Banham is a British family security business founded in 1926 by William F. Banham, who invented the world's first automatic door bolt after a string of burglaries targeting the family's West London dress shop. The company describes itself as a family business now run by the third and fourth generations, offering signature locks, bespoke reinforced steel doors, insurance-graded safes, alarm systems with 24-hour monitoring, and keyholding services. Its products are described as handcrafted in Britain since 1926.

Banham's history began in 1926 with a string of burglaries targeting the Banham family's dress shop in West London. Because the insurance policy only covered doors bolted from the inside and no such lock existed, William F. Banham invented the world's first automatic door bolt. He then issued a challenge to London's burglars, offering a £25 cash prize if they could pick the lock; they failed and were rounded up by Scotland Yard. Following the challenge's success, William hired a mime artist to pose as a burglar winking at passers-by from the window of the Oxford Street shop, inspiring the Burglar Bill logo and the slogan 'Why Fear Burglars?'. During the war years, the family worked from a new showroom in Kensington and survived a direct hit from a German bomb by sheltering in the basement, rescued after several days. In the following decade, a patent was issued on Banham's lock and cylinder designs and the company affiliated with the Master Locksmiths Association. After William's death at age 73, his wife Marie-Ann took the reins, with the couple's three sons joining the family business. An innovative key registration system for all their locks and cylinders added a new level of security. The company states it remains a family business now run by the third and fourth generations, and in 2026 its signature lock won Product of the Year at the Country & Town House Great British Brands Awards.

Handcrafted in Britain since 1926, marrying innovation with time-honoured techniques; a family business known for robust patented locks.

• Signature locks

  Meticulously crafted, each lock passes through the hands of expert makers.

• Bespoke doors

  Reinforced steel doors, handcrafted and tailor made for the home.

• Bespoke safes

  Insurance-graded safes tailored inside and out, from solid wood veneers to leather linings.

• Alarms

  Tailored alarm systems with 24-hour monitoring and rapid response.

• Keyholding

  Concierge service for misplaced passports, trusted tradesmen access and life's unexpected moments.

1. 1Banham | Experts in Security Services Since 1926banham.co.uk
2. 2About Usbanham.co.uk
3. 3Safe opening services | Banhambanham.co.uk
4. 4Banham Wins Product of the Yearbanham.co.uk