Discovering a Break-In: What to Do First
Discovering that someone has broken into your home is a shocking and distressing experience. It's normal to feel panicked, angry, or violated. But acting calmly and methodically in the hours that follow will help protect you, preserve evidence, and speed up your recovery.
Step 1: Ensure Your Safety
Do not enter your home if you think the burglar may still be inside. Signs they may still be present include:
- A door or window is still open
- You can hear movement inside
- Lights are on that you didn't leave on
If in any doubt, stay outside, move to a safe distance, and call 999 immediately.
Step 2: Call the Police
Once you're safe, call the police. If the burglar has left, call 101 (non-emergency). If they may still be present, call 999. The police will give you a crime reference number — you'll need this for your insurance claim. Do not touch or clean anything until the police have attended or advised you can.
Step 3: Document the Damage
Before you move or touch anything, take photographs and video of:
- The point of entry (broken door, window, lock)
- Any damage inside the property
- The state of rooms that have been disturbed
- Any items that are clearly missing or moved
This evidence is crucial for your insurance claim.
Step 4: Secure Your Property
Once the police have finished (or given you the go-ahead), you need to secure your home. This is where we come in. Our emergency burglary repair service is available 24/7 and includes:
- Emergency lock replacements — we'll replace any compromised locks immediately
- Door and frame repairs — fixing or replacing damaged doors and frames
- Window lock repairs — securing any breached windows
- Temporary boarding — if a door or window can't be immediately repaired, we'll board it up securely
- Security upgrades — we'll recommend and can install upgrades to prevent it happening again
Step 5: Contact Your Insurance Company
Report the burglary to your home insurance provider as soon as possible. Have ready:
- Your crime reference number from the police
- Photos and video of the damage
- A list of stolen items and their approximate value
- Receipts or proof of purchase for high-value items if available
We provide insurance documentation support — our locksmiths can provide itemised invoices and reports that insurance companies accept.
Step 6: Upgrade Your Security
After a break-in, it's common for burglars to return — they know the layout and know you'll likely replace stolen items. Use this as an opportunity to significantly upgrade your security:
- Anti-snap cylinder locks on all Euro cylinder doors
- BS3621 deadlocks on timber doors
- Letterbox guards to prevent fishing attacks
- Door chains and restrictors for additional resistance
- Consider a burglar alarm and security cameras
Emotional Support After a Burglary
A break-in can have a lasting emotional impact. Feeling anxious, struggling to sleep, or feeling unsafe in your own home is completely normal. Victim Support (0808 168 9111) offers free, confidential help to victims of crime in the UK.
Need Emergency Help Now?
If you've been burgled and need your property secured, call us immediately on 0330 133 1339. Our burglary repair locksmiths are available 24/7 with a 30-minute response time. No call-out fee. We cover Coventry, Warwick, Sheffield, Chesterfield, Colchester, Ipswich, and all surrounding areas.