Three out of four burglaries in England and Wales went unsolved last year, highlighting the importance of knowing what to do if your property is targeted. ADT, the home security experts, have provided some advice on the steps to take if you have been burgled.
Michele Bennett, general manager at ADT UK&I Subscriber, said: “If you come home to find you’ve been burgled, a million thoughts will race through your head, but stop, take a breath, and take these immediate actions.”
Don’t touch anything
It’s crucial not to touch anything until the police have completed their work. Your home is now a crime scene, and touching or moving items can disrupt evidence.
Call the police
Dial 101 to file a report. This is the non-emergency number for the police. Not only could they catch the culprit, but it is also reassuring to know that help is on the way. The National Police Chiefs’ Council has committed to attending all home burglaries and providing support to victims after such a traumatic experience. The police will also give you a crime reference number to report the break-in to your home insurance company.
Take photos and review the footage
Photos and videos can serve as evidence of any damage for your insurance company. Footage could also be crucial for the police investigation. It’s worth asking your neighbors if they have any CCTV footage that may have captured the burglar.
Make a list of stolen goods
Create a list of the missing items and gather evidence of your ownership. This could include receipts, bank statements, or even pictures of the items.
Contact your insurance company
Call your home insurance company immediately. Make sure you have your insurance policy number and crime reference number on hand, as you will be asked for these. Reporting the incident promptly will help you recover the cost of your possessions and any damages caused by the intruder.
Cancel your cards
If you suspect that credit cards, debit cards, or any documents that could lead to your bank accounts have been taken, do not hesitate to cancel them.
Michele said: “You may feel upset and anxious over the next few days, which is completely natural. Try your best to get into a regular routine. This may not be easy, but with time your house will start to feel like home.”
Put the pieces back together
You may want to seek help from friends and family or even hire someone to assist with cleaning if you find it too difficult to do it yourself.
Secure your home
Cleaning up is one thing, but securing your home is equally important. Identify the point of entry and make necessary changes to prevent future break-ins. Strengthen windows with similar structures and add deadlocks, bolts, and chains to doors to make them more secure.
Review your security
If you haven’t already, consider installing a good security system to deter potential burglars.
Change your locks
Even if your locks seem secure, it’s still a good idea to change them when moving into a new house, as you never know who may have had keys to the property in the past. Also, check the window locks.
What to do in the following weeks
Replace your valuables
Your insurance company should reach a settlement with you in the weeks following the burglary, depending on your level of coverage.
Amend your insurance
Take this opportunity to review your insurance coverage and address any loopholes or issues. Ensure that all your valuables are included in the policy and update your inventory with any new items you’ve purchased.
Look into victim compensation
If you have been a victim of a crime, you may be entitled to compensation. For example, if you’ve had to pay for property damage after a burglary and the perpetrator is caught, you have the right to press charges and claim the money back through the courts. You could also have a case if you had to take time off work, experienced emotional distress, suffered physical injuries, or had your vehicle stolen.