We were recently called to a property in Wigan to open a J. Cartwright & Son safe that held far more than just curiosity for the customer. The safe had originally belonged to his late father and had passed through several family members over the years. With no keys and no real expectation that anything remained inside, the aim was simply to open it and see.
Safes like those made by J. Cartwright & Son are solid, traditional pieces—built to last and often carrying decades of history with them. As always, we approached the job with care and used our non-destructive lock picking techniques to open the safe without causing any damage.
Once open, what followed made the job truly memorable.
Inside the safe were long-forgotten items of huge sentimental value, and it was clear from the client’s reaction just how much they meant. Watching his face light up as he rediscovered these personal belongings was a powerful reminder that safes don’t just protect valuables—they protect memories.
After the contents were safely retrieved, we cut and supplied a new set of keys, allowing the safe to be put back into service and continue its place within the family.
Jobs like this are what make our work so rewarding. It’s not always about the safe—it’s about what’s inside.
Another meaningful safe opening completed by Paladin Safe Services in Wigan, helping bring a piece of family history back to life.
