A vehicle door lock assembly has a latch (12) for mounting on a vehicle door. The latch (12) has at least one release lever for effecting releasing of the latch and at least one locking lever (14) for locking the latch, disabling the release lever, and unlocking the latch, enabling the release lever. A compound linkage (20, 24; 20, 124) operatively engages the locking lever (14). A lock cylinder (30, 130) has a spindle (28) which engages the linkage. The spindle (28) rotates in response to keyed rotation of a matched key being received by the lock cylinder (30; 130) which drives the linkage (20, 24; 20, 124) to effect movement of the locking lever (14). The spindle (28) is axially slidable to disengage the spindle from the linkage. A hollow shield (34) shrouds the locking lever (14), the linkage (20, 24; 20, 124) and the engagement between the linkage and the spindle (28), preventing access thereto. If the spindle is removed, the linkage will pivot away preventing manipulation thereof. The hollow shield (34) also separates the linkage (20, 24; 20, 124) from the lock cylinder opening further minimizing unauthorized manipulation of the locking lever.