Being burgled isn’t just devastating because your belongings have been stolen, it’s also very inconvenient and distressing when it comes to having to deal with the aftermath. We’ve put together a few steps together to ensure you’ve done everything necessary following your property being broken in to:
- Call the Police immediately – You may do this without even thinking but would you know which number to call? The Police recommend you call 101 to report the burglary OR 999 if you think the burglar is still in your property. In this instance, use your mobile or nip to your neighbour’s and use their phone.
- Don’t touch or disturb anything – You may want to start putting your property back to how it should be but the Police will want to evaluate the scene and take forensic evidence where possible. A Crime Scene Investigator will look for fingerprints and other signs of the offender so try not to move or touch anything before they have been.
- Contact your bank and credit card company – Cancel all cards immediately. If you do this straight away, there is a chance you could get your money back should the burglar have used them.
- Change your locks and repair any damaged doors or windows – A huge percentage of burglars enter through your front door. Check whether any door, window or even garage door keys have gone missing; it may be that the burglars come back for a second helping and finish what they had started!
- Make a thorough list of any items stolen or damaged – The Police will need this list to try to recover your items. It may help to walk through each room and systematically think of what was in that room. The more detail and description of each item, the better your chances of their safe return.Try and find any receipts for any serial or model numbers to possibly prompt your memory.
- Get in touch with your insurance company – Your insurers will ask lots of questions about the incident, as well as require the list of stolen items. They will also want your crime or reference number that you were given by the Police so make sure you have this to hand.
- Take photos – Take photos of everything you think may be necessary and work as evidence should the Police need any.
