![](https://lirp.cdn-website.com/098d2d06/dms3rep/multi/opt/SMS_Locksmith_Icons-14-1920w.png)
![](https://lirp.cdn-website.com/098d2d06/dms3rep/multi/opt/Wrong+euro+cylinder+size-1920w.jpg)
![](https://lirp.cdn-website.com/098d2d06/dms3rep/multi/opt/pexels-george-becker-792034-1920w.jpg)
Emergency Steps To Take Immediately After A Home Burglary
Home burglaries happen more often than most homeowners care to admit to themselves. It can be a harrowing experience to come back home, to your safe space, and find that it has been broken into. It can even happen when the homeowner or tenant is in the property which can be the scariest experiences. These types of burglaries often cause many a homeowner/ tenant to question their safety and security.
Although there are many valid fears for homeowners to have, the way things play out after a home burglary or an attempted burglary will depend on how fast you act after you realize that your home has been broken into, and that you have now become a number in some of the alarming break-in statistics most homeowners overlook.
Below, we will provide a basic list of 7 emergency steps you should take immediately after a home burglary. These steps will help you stay safe, and also begin the process of restoring your homes security. We advise you to take your time reading this post after the burglary and go through each step to ensure your safety and security.
1. Stay calm - Burglaries are traumatic events but it's already happened and to get stressed about it won’t do anyone any good so trying to relax and stay focused would be the first step. This includes trying your best not to touch or move anything around, especially when you walk into your home and it dawns on you that something isn’t right. This leads to the second step.
2. Call the police - Call the police and report the burglary. This is why we suggest in step one to not touch anything, the police will want to take fingerprints, if you touch anything it will smudge the existing fingerprints left by the burglars if they haven't worn gloves.
2.1 - Find a safe place to hide - This point specifically applies to homeowners or tenants who might be alerted to the presence of a burglar who breaks in while they are at the property, hence why it's listed as a 2.1. Most residential burglaries occur during the daytime when homeowners are not present, however this isn't the case for holidays that you may choose to spend at home. A portion of burglaries often occur during the summer holidays, public holidays and Christmas, all of which can be spent at home and are times of increased burglaries. This can be very jarring if you're sat peacefully on your couch and a stranger walks into your home.
3. Take stock of your possessions - Once you have confirmed the burglars are no longer in your home you should start to assess the state of things and take stock of what you have or what may be missing. Not only does this information help you report correctly to law enforcement what may have been stolen (laptops, phones and electronics may be traced) you will also find it easier reporting to your insurance company and can expedite your claim.
This step can be challenging because you may still be dealing with the shock of finding that their home was just broken into and robbed. Making a list of the items that may be missing may help calm you down till the police arrive.
4 . Contact your landlord - Third step would be to contact the person in charge of the premises. If you have a landlord contacting him/her would be the first course of action. If you are the landlord go to step 5.
5. Call the after burglary locksmith
- After calling the police you can already call the locksmith
or glazier to check for prices and availability but bear in mind you’ll need to have the police taking finger prints. The locksmith will usually wear gloves when repairing the door or lock after the burglary which will smudge a few of the fingerprints. Usually if the police don't arrive in a few hours they will come the next day, the door/ lock has to be repaired and the property secured so this cannot be avoided and it's best to stay safe.
6. Contact the insurance company – Once you have the report from the police and your property secured by the locksmith/glazier contact your insurer. You might need to provide them with evidence/ proof of burglary so keep any records made by the police and get an invoice for the repairs made by the tradespeople this way you can make a claim under the insurance coverage.
7. Have your burglary repaired permanently – Whether the insurance will cover it or not you do not wish to keep leaving in an unsecured property. Therefore have your locks and doors properly secured. If needed have your door replaced and do everything it takes for a burglary not to happen again. The locksmith will normally provide advice on which locks can be used to stop a burglary from happening in the future.
Preventing a burglary
Preventing a burglary can often be a lot easier than having to repair and upgrade your security after the fact, definitely less traumatising . Most burglaries are absolutely preventable as most burglars today are young people that seek around for a door or window that looks easy enough to break open or people with addiction issues looking to find some cash or something easy to sell.
We advise the following steps to avoid a burglary all together
– Upgrade to British Standard. Install BS3621 locks and make sure all your windows have bolts on the inside of the property that lock with a key, especially ground and first floor windows. This is also important so that you comply with your insurance requirements.
– Lock your door when leaving the property . Nothing is harder to break then good quality locks that are actually locked. Make sure you secure your property every time you leave the house and lock your doors at night or when you're just relaxing at home.
– Have a professional locksmith inspect your home. Locksmiths have access to the latest security products as well as the expertise to ensure that your premises are properly secured. They can check that your locks are installed correctly and that they are being used correctly.
If you're interested in finding out more information or burglaries in your area, check the UK police force website.
Feel free to contact us for any advice you may need in the aftermath of a burglary, we're always happy to help.