We were recently called to a job in Bradford, West Yorkshire, where a team of contractors working inside an ex-bank building had accidentally closed a Chatwood-Milner vault door—without the combinations needed to reopen it. With no way to access the room and concern growing about what was trapped inside, they needed a fast and professional solution.
Chatwood-Milner vault doors are iconic pieces of British engineering, designed to protect high-value assets in banking environments. Known for their immense strength, complex locking mechanisms, and layered security features, these doors are built to resist even the most determined attacks. That makes them excellent at keeping intruders out—but also a major problem if they’re closed by mistake.
Luckily, the owners knew who to call. At Paladin Safe Services, we’ve opened countless high-security vaults and strongroom doors over the years, including many Chatwood-Milner models. Our deep understanding of these historical locking systems, combined with specialist tools and non-destructive techniques, means we can handle even the most intimidating jobs with confidence.
We attended the site in Bradford promptly and, after a detailed assessment of the vault door’s condition and lock configuration, we got to work. Using our expertise, we were able to open the vault door without causing any damage, restoring access to the sealed room and avoiding what could have been a costly and time-consuming situation for the building’s owners.
This job is a perfect example of why experience matters when dealing with vintage and commercial-grade safes and vaults. These doors aren’t just heavy—they’re highly engineered pieces of security history, and opening them properly requires both technical knowledge and a careful hand.
If you’ve found yourself locked out of a vault or strongroom—whether through accident, lost keys, or forgotten combinations—Paladin Safe Services has the skill and discretion to get the job done right. Another big vault, successfully and professionally opened in Bradford.
