What should you do if your home is burgled?

192,060 homes were reported burgled in England and Wales last year and the number is growing. That's one every 164 seconds! Being burgled can be very distressing. This list will help you determine what to do after your home is burgled. This will help you know what to do if your house is broken into.

1. Report the burglary to the police

You should immediately report the burglary of your home to the police. There is a greater chance the crime will be solved if you report it early.

Don't enter if you suspect the burglar is still there. Instead, call police from outside of your home, preferable from your car or from a neighbour's house.

If the burglary is over and there is no immediate danger, you can call 101 for non-emergency assistance. You should be given a crime reference number by the police. This number is required if you want to file a claim on your home insurance for theft or damage.

What to do if your house is broken into. It's crucial to remain calm if someone enters your home. As long as it is safe, get out of the house as soon as possible. Hide somewhere if you cannot leave the house, ideally a place where you can lock yourself in.

Call 999 to explain the situation calmly. If you are afraid of being heard by the intruder, dial 999 and press 55. This will open the Silent Solutions phone number. The police will know you are in an emergency and cannot talk.

2. Do not touch anything

It is possible to feel like you have to tidy up or clean up any evidence left behind by the burglar in order to make everything feel right again. Please try to control your emotions as much as possible. The burglar may have left forensic evidence behind at the scene of their crime when they broke into your home. This could prove crucial in catching them and bringing them to justice.

The scene of crime officers might have to search for evidence such as:

• Fingerprints
• Footprints
• Tool marks
• Fabric torn
• DNA evidence

What to do if your house is broken into. It's best to not disturb anything in order to have the best chance of recovering stolen goods or catching the burglar.

3. Inform your bank

Notify your bank immediately if any credit or debit cards are lost. They will immediately block your cards from being used, and then they will issue replacements.

This is also necessary if you have any digital storage devices (computers, USB, mobile phones, etc.) that are stolen as your financial data may also have been stolen. Also tell the authorities immediately if your driving license or passport is missing.

4. Inform your mobile phone provider

Your mobile phone provider should be contacted immediately if your phone is stolen in a burglary. Your provider will be able to block access to your phone and prevent anyone else from using it. You could be held responsible for the costs incurred by the person who took your phone.

You can also request the phone's identification (IMEI) which you will need to provide to the police.

5. Note any damaged or stolen property

Take a look at your property, one room at a time, and compile a complete list of all items that have been stolen or damaged.

You should take as many details as possible about them, including serial numbers and identifying marks. Do not forget to include any digital media such as eBooks, downloaded games and films.

Photograph any damage and locate any receipts that could be used to prove ownership. These details may be required by both the police and your homeowner's insurance provider, and could speed up your home insurance claim.

6. Get in touch with your home insurance company

If you have home insurance, you can claim for property damage (buildings coverage) and stolen or damaged items (contents Insurance).

What to do if your house is broken into. Get in touch with your insurance company as soon as you can and tell them what has happened. They will be able guide you through the process, and help you complete your claim form. This is where you will need the crime reference number and the list of stolen/damaged items.

7. Protect your home

You should immediately fix any broken windows or doors that were damaged in a burglary. You can use your home emergency coverage to secure your home again. Police should also inspect your home for any security weaknesses. It's worth asking them if they haven't.

This is the time to improve your home security to deter burglars from coming back again. Call Mobile Locksmith Domestic & Auto Ltd on 0800 6124629 for free home security advice and a free quote.

You could consider the following security upgrades:

• Upgrade your door locks to five lever mortice deadlocks Choose the British Standard (BS 3621) compliant locks. These are the ones that home insurance companies consider to be the most secure.
• You should upgrade your patio door and window locks. Burglars could use any entry point to gain access to your home.
• To deter burglary, upgrade or install your burglar alarm.

Call Mobile Locksmith Domestic & Auto Ltd on 0800 6124629 for free home security advice and a free quote.

8. Replace your possessions

The following could be part of your home insurance (subject to excess):

• Old for new. The insurance company will pay the entire cost of replacing the item that was stolen.
• Wear and tear. Here age and condition are taken into consideration. It is possible to not receive the full value of a stolen item when you buy a new one.

It might be worthwhile to consider security upgrades if you are replacing something very valuable, such as a bicycle or laptop. Call Mobile Locksmith Domestic & Auto Ltd on 0800 6124629 for free home security advice and a free quote.

9. Get the support that you need

Because burglary can be very distressing, Victim Support may refer you to the police. You can also contact Victim Support yourself.

Victim Support volunteers provide free advice, support and counselling to victims of crime. Even if you feel fine after the burglary it might be worthwhile to get in touch with them.

Victim Support provides free advice, support and counselling for victims of crime. Here are the details:

• England and Wales Victim Support, 08 08 16 89 112
• Scotland - Victim Support Scotland, 0800 160 1985
• Northern Ireland Victim Support NI, 028 71370086 (Foyle hub), 028 9024 33133 (Belfast hub).

10. Check out our blog post: How To Deter Burglars From Your Home

Looking for new locks for your doors or windows or want help installing any of these security measures? Call Mobile Locksmith Domestic & Auto Ltd on 0800 6124629 for free security advice, a free quote and a fast friendly service :)

Check out our other Blog articles: How To Deter Burglars From Your Home, Cost to change locks on door, Lost Car Keys Replacement Plymouth, 24 Hour Emergency Locksmith Plymouth, Common Lock Problems And How To Fix Them, Rekey or fit new looks on doors?, 5 Reasons To Call A Local Locksmith, What can a locksmith do for me? and 5 reasons why you should change locks in a new property.

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