What is burglary?
Burglary is when someone enters into a building without permission to steal or damage something, or to hurt someone. It can happen at home, at a business, or elsewhere on your property, such as a garage or shed.
If you think someone might in your property
In an emergency, always call 999.
If you think someone might still be inside, don’t go in. Go somewhere safe, and call 999.
If you’re hurt at all, get medical help. You can do this either by calling 999 or going to your nearest accident and emergency department.
How burglary can affect you
Burglary can affect you in different ways. It can make you feel upset about what’s been taken or damaged. It can also affects how safe you feel at home or at work.
Burglary is never your fault. However it’s affected you, it’s valid. We will believe you.
What to do after burglary
You don’t have to report anything to the police, if you don’t want to. However, you may need to report if you want to claim for anything on your insurance.
- Leave things as they are, if you can: Try not to touch or move anything until the police have advised you. This helps keep any evidence that may have been left.
- Report it to the police: Read our guide on how to report a crime. If someone is in danger, or a crime is happening now, call 999.
- Ask for a crime reference number: The police will be able to give you this, and you’ll need it to make an insurance claim. An incident number isn’t enough for an insurer, so make sure it’s the crime reference number that the police give you.
- Take photos and make a list: When the police advise you can, document what was taken. Make a list of missing items, with approximate values. Keep receipts, serial numbers or other proof that the items were yours.
- Tell your insurer: Have your policy number and crime reference number ready. Tell your insurer even if nothing was taken, because it could affect a future claim.
- Cancel any missing bank cards: If bank cards or paperwork were taken, contact your bank.
- Check for missing paperwork: Check for things like your driving licence, passport, or any important and sensitive documents. If they’re missing, contact whoever issued them.
- Check doors and windows: If your doors or windows were damaged, they will need to be replaced. If you rent your home, contact your landlord for help. If any keys have been taken, you’ll also need to change the locks.
- Cancel any missing bank cards: If bank cards or paperwork were taken, contact your bank.
- Check for missing paperwork: Check for things like your driving licence, passport, or any important and sensitive documents. If they’re missing, contact whoever issued them.
- Check doors and windows: If your doors or windows were damaged, they will need to be replaced. If you rent your home, contact your landlord for help. If any keys have been taken, you’ll also need to change the locks.
Staying safe after burglary
We can help you to stay safe after burglary. We can talk you through making a safety plan, including how to make your home safe and secure. We may also be able to recommend specialist services, who can provide safety alarms or help paying for repairs.
If you think you were specifically targeted
If someone has targeted you because of your race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity, it may be hate crime.
If someone has been violent or controlling towards you, and broke in, this may be domestic abuse. Domestic abuse is never your fault, and we can help you. You don’t need to be ready to leave, if you don’t want to.
How we can help you after Burglary
Our Support Workers can talk with you about what’s happened and how it’s affecting you.
Our support is free and confidential. You don’t need to have reported anything to the police. If you’d like to report it, we can support you.
Other organisations that can help
- your insurance company
- your bank, if cards or documents were taken
- the organisation that issued any identity documents that were taken
- GOV.UK: Your rights after crime
My Support Space:
My Support Space is a free and confidential online resource. It can help if you’re finding things hard after crime.
It includes guides, self-help tools, videos and activities. These can help you make sense of your experience and how you’re feeling. They can also help you move forward.
Learn more about how we can support you.
View our frequently asked questionsContact us
You can contact us in three ways. Contact us today for free and confidential support.
0808 168 9291
00:00 – 00:00, Mon – Sun.
