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Advice if you've been burgled

What to do next and who to contact

Reduce the risk of becoming a victim of burglary by following our crime prevention advice.

If you have been a victim of burglary, find out:

 

How we investigate a burglary

  • The attending police officer will take details of the incident and submit this information to the area crime management team. We will then be able to decide what police action should be taken.
  • A special operations team may need to get involved if we know there have been a number of linked break-ins.
  • A Crime Scene Investigator may be needed to look for fingerprints and other signs of an offender’s presence.
  • We may ask to take your fingerprints so that your prints can be eliminated from our enquiries – this is standard practice. Your fingerprints may be taken by an officer or in some circumstances, a kit will be provided.
  • You will receive a follow-up call from the officer in charge of your case within seven days of the burglary being reported. It is their duty to keep you informed about progress and will let you know if anyone is charged for the burglary.

What you should do

As soon as you are aware that you have been the victim of a burglary and/or your property has been stolen:

  • contact you bank/building society/credit card company immediately to cancel any bank/credit cards – do this even before you report the incident to the police
  • then report the incident to the police.

Cancel bank/credit cards

If you think your wallet and/or bank/credit cards have been stolen, you should contact your card provider (your bank, building society, credit card company, store card) immediately.

If you contact your card provider within 24 hours you may be able to get your money back if a thief uses your cards. However, each case is treated individually.

Contact your home contents insurer

You should contact your insurers as soon as possible to tell them you have been burgled.

Your insurers may wish to take some details over the phone, send an assessor to your home or send you a claim form to fill in. They will require your crime number and a list of everything that has been stolen. This should be done in addition to completing and returning the stolen property form in this book. 

Your insurers may also provide you with a claim reference number.

What next?

We know how distressing a burglary can be for people, particularly if items of sentimental value are stolen. Please speak to the officer in charge if you have any specific concerns. Alternatively, contact Victim Support.

If you have any concerns about home safety or want more information or advice, either speak to your neighbourhood officer or follow the guidance below.

Replace door and window locks

If a burglar has forced their way into your home, or you have had keys lost or stolen, you should repair or replace locks on windows and doors.

If you are insured, your insurance company should be able to arrange this for you.

If you are not insured, or if you are asked to make your own arrangements, a locksmith can do this for you. It is recommended you choose a locksmith who is a member of the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA). All MLA members are inspected and approved by the association, and work to the highest standards using high quality products. For more information call 0800 783 1498.

Record valuable items

Being burgled can be a traumatic experience. This may mean you can’t remember details about items that have been stolen when you first report the burglary to the police or you may discover other items are missing later on.

The stolen property record form in this pack will help you to list exactly what items have been stolen.

Please include:

  • model and serial numbers (may be found on receipts or old documents)
  • identifying marks such as scratches, dents or property marking
  • descriptions of unusual or unique items, such as jewellery or silverware
  • photographs or catalogue pictures of items where available
  • details of any items that have been postcoded or marked with forensic solution

Accurate and detailed information about stolen items will help the police to:

  • identify your property and return it to you
  • make sure burglars are prosecuted 
  • help insurance claims progress smoothly.