What to do if you are Burgled

Getting burgled is a very traumatic and stressful experience. Whilst everything possible should be done to try to avoid being burgled in the first place… burglaries do still happen. In England and Wales, for 2024/25 there were unfortunately 245,284 recorded burglaries. However, this article focuses on what you should do if you are burgled and are the unfortunate victim of a burglar.

(For more information on how to avoid being burgled, read my articles on Common Ways a Burglar Gains Access and Security Tips to prevent Burglaries.)

Immediate Actions

Check it is still safe

Firstly, if you are returning home and you see that unauthorised entry has been gained, you need to verify that there is no one still in the property.

If you disturb a burglar, then that could result in a violent encounter as they will do everything possible not to get caught.

If in doubt, do not enter the property, go somewhere safe and call the police.

The advice is always not to confront a burglar, however, be aware that you are entitled to act in self defence using reasonable force.

Call the Police

999 if it is an emergency (e.g. burglary in progress) or 101 if it is after the event and the burglar is not present.

Despite the media sometimes reporting a low crime solving rate relating to burglaries, you must always report the crime.

Even if it is an attempted burglary where they were unsuccessful in gaining entry, you should still call the police.

Priority Actions

It is important not to touch too much initially. There may be important evidence that can be used by the police to arrest the culprit and possibly recover your possessions.

Try to list the items that have been stolen. Check keys, cash, jewellery, bank cards, mobile phones, tablets/laptops, power tools, etc.

Contact the relevant organisations depending on what has been stolen. For example, contact your bank if your cards have been stolen and contact your mobile phone provider if your phone is missing.

After the Police have Visited

Contact your insurance company. They will need a crime reference number that the police can provide. The crime should be reported as soon as possible and within 24 hours.

Repair any damage. If the burglar has used force to gain entry, then there will likely be some damage (e.g. broken window, broken lock, damaged door, etc.). This may leave your property unsecure so call a relevant emergency trades person to fix the immediate issues. Depending on your level of cover, your insurance company can help with this.

Contact a reputable local locksmith to get your locks changed and get their advice on recommending locks with the appropriate level of security. This is especially necessary if they have taken keys to your property during the burglary.

In Conclusion

If you are burgled, try not to panic and follow the steps highlighted in this article.

Being burgled is a terrible experience to go through. Not only are there practical concerns over the cost and inconvenience, but there is also the potential negative psychological impact.

Be aware that there are victim support groups that are available that can help if you are suffering from anxiety after the event.

Remember that burglaries are still a relatively rare event and there is actually a continuing downward trend in burglary offences since 2002/03 due to advances in home security technology.

I hope this article on what to do if you are burgled has been useful. If you are concerned, or need any advice, or if indeed you are a victim of a burglary in Witham, Maldon or across Essex, then contact Lock Guy.

Got a question about a lock issue you may have? Why not have a look at the FAQ page or one of the helpful advice videos on the Media page.