Abstract: Force-resistant locking devices for electric meter boxes with hinged cove or the like, comprise a stud member mounted to a wall of the box and a flange member received on the stud member, the flange member including a flange overlying a marginal portion of the cover to keep it closed. The flange and stud members together define an opening receiving and fully enclosing a utility lock for securing the flange and stud members together. In one embodiment, the flange member is an angle iron with rectangular metal stock welded to one leg, and the stud is cylindrical and received in an opening through the flange member. The lock-receiving opening intersects the stud-receiving opening and the shear strength of the utility lock holds the locking device together. In another embodiment, the flange member is a section of channel iron and receives a rectangular stud, the lock-receiving opening deployed to utilize the shear strength of the lock.