Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

RED LOCKSMITHS ("we", "us") operates redlocksmiths.com and handles UK locksmith enquiries. For personal information collected by us through the website, telephone or our own messaging channels, RED LOCKSMITHS is responsible for deciding how that information is used. An independent locksmith or company providing a job may act as a separate data controller for information it uses to perform and invoice that work.

Privacy contact: RED LOCKSMITHS, telephone 07441 928325, or via the Contact page. Please say that your request concerns privacy or personal data.

2. Personal information we may collect

• Your name, phone number and any email address or other contact details you give us.
• The property address or postcode, type of premises, access needs, door and lock problems, and information necessary to check that work is authorised.
• Enquiry details, call or message contents, appointment preferences, booking status, agreed quotes, payment and complaint records where relevant.
• Technical information such as IP address, browser type, device and web server logs; and, only if you choose optional analytics, page visits and related usage information.
• Other information you choose to provide, such as photographs of a damaged lock. Please avoid sending unnecessary sensitive personal information.

We usually obtain this information directly from you, although a landlord, letting agent, authorised third party or attending provider may give us details needed to manage an enquiry or complaint.

3. Why we use the information and our lawful bases

• To answer enquiries and arrange or administer a service: taking steps at your request before a contract, or performing a contract to which you are a party.
• To share appropriate job details with a potential attending engineer: to pursue your requested booking and our legitimate interests in operating a practical referral and customer service process; where necessary, as a step towards a contract.
• To assess authority, prevent fraud, keep suitable business records and handle concerns: our legitimate interests in safety, security and managing disputes, and legal obligations where applicable.
• To retain relevant financial or tax information: compliance with legal obligations.
• To measure website usage through optional Google Analytics: your consent, where required for analytics cookies and associated processing. Analytics stays disabled until you opt in.
• To send optional marketing: only where there is an appropriate lawful basis and any consent or other PECR condition is met. You can opt out at any time.

If you do not supply an address, contact number or description of the access problem, we may be unable to assess or arrange an enquiry. Optional analytics and marketing are not conditions of using the website or requesting help.

4. Who we may share information with

We may share only the details reasonably needed with independent locksmiths or other service providers assessing or undertaking your requested job, relevant booking/communications systems, telephone and website hosting providers, payment processors where payment is taken, professional advisers where necessary, and regulatory or law-enforcement bodies where lawfully required.

Where you choose to communicate through WhatsApp, the messaging provider also handles information under its own terms and privacy notice. If you consent to analytics, we use Google Analytics (GA4), provided by Google, to measure website activity. We do not sell customer contact details to data brokers.

5. International processing

Some technology and communications providers may process information outside the United Kingdom. Where we are responsible for such a transfer, we will use an applicable legal mechanism or safeguard as required by UK data protection law. You can contact us to request more information about the providers and safeguards relevant to your data.

6. How long information is kept

We keep information only for as long as necessary for the purpose collected, including managing enquiries and bookings, dealing with complaints, preventing misuse, establishing or defending legal claims, and meeting legal or tax-record obligations. The period depends on whether an enquiry led to paid work, whether there is an unresolved dispute, and whether a statutory record-keeping period applies. We review records and remove or anonymise information when it is no longer needed.

Cookie choice records are normally stored on your device for up to 180 days before we ask you again. Third-party analytics cookies, if accepted, are subject to the providers' cookie durations and your browser settings.

7. Cookies and optional analytics

We store a small preference record in your browser so we can respect your decision on optional cookies. We use Google Analytics 4 only if you select Accept analytics cookies. Analytics may collect information about visits, device/browser type, approximate location and interactions with our pages. It is not required to make a locksmith enquiry. We do not enable Google advertising personalisation in this implementation.

You can accept or reject optional analytics in the banner and revise that choice whenever you wish using the control below or the Cookie settings link in every page footer. Rejecting analytics does not prevent you from using this website.

Change cookie choices

Cookies and similar technologies set by third-party sites you choose to visit, such as WhatsApp, are governed by those providers' policies. You can also control or delete cookies using your browser settings.

8. Your UK data protection rights

Subject to the applicable conditions and exemptions, you may have the right to access personal information, correct inaccuracies, request deletion, restrict or object to certain processing, receive portable data, and withdraw consent where consent is the basis of processing.

Right to object: you may object to processing based on legitimate interests where the law permits. You can object to direct marketing at any time, and we will stop using your personal information for that purpose.

To make a request, call 07441 928325 or use our contact details, explaining that you want to exercise your data rights. We may need to verify your identity before disclosing information.

9. Security and children's data

We take reasonable organisational and technical measures to protect personal information and limit access to those who need it. No internet communication is completely risk-free, so avoid sending payment card numbers or sensitive identity documents in ordinary messages unless an agreed secure method is provided.

The service is intended for adults or people appropriately authorised to make a property-services enquiry. We do not knowingly seek children's personal data for marketing.

10. Concerns and complaints

Please contact RED LOCKSMITHS first if you have a privacy concern, so we can investigate. You may also complain to the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint.

11. Changes to this notice

We may revise this notice to reflect changes in how we operate or changes in the law. The date at the top shows when it was last updated. Material changes will be communicated where required.