‘I have been Burgled? What do I do Now?’
As a locksmith in Yorkshire burglaries are something I deal with regularly. It is always a real shock to be met with the devastation of a burglary whether it is at your home or your business premises. It can be such a shock to the system that it can send many people into a panic and some are at a loss of what to do after a burglary.
I have noticed a need for a quick reference burglary tips guide to use in an emergency break in situation. So I have come up with an easy reference burglary what to do checklist.
Burglary Advice Checklist
1) Ensure That the Intruder Has Left
If you arrive home and recognise signs of intruder access take care to ensure that the intruder has already left the property.
2) Call The Police
Call the Police on 101
(if the intruder has fled the scene)
Burglary is classed as a non-emergency call unless the crime is actually in progress.
In the case that you catch a burglar in the act then you should call 999.
There are other police numbers you may wish to note here such as a text phone number for those with hearing or speech difficulties and a number to use if you need to contact the police from abroad.
3) Only Move Things following Approval from The Police
Take advice from the police as to whether you should leave the items in your home untouched until they have the opportunity to assess the situation.
4) Call Someone For Support
At this point you may wish to call a friend, neighbour or family member for emotional support. Discovering that you security has been breached can be very upsetting and it is important to take care of your needs at this time.
5) Call a Locksmith !!
I am a local independant locksmith based in Harrogate providing a 24/7 service.
a) Make sure that your property is secure as a priority. Make sure that you call a reputable locksmith!
b) Ask for a quote to make emergency window or door repairs as required.
c) If keys have been stolen it is important to replace the locks to prevent a return visit from the intruder.
d) It is advisable to discuss your home security with the locksmith to ensure that it is of a high standard. A good locksmith will advise you on the best security for your situation. You can read about how to upgrade your home security here.
e) An experienced locksmith will also be able to tell you if the locks you have had on your property meet insurance requirements. Your home contents policy will only pay out if there were insurance approved locks on your property. This is important information to have before calling your insurance company.
6) Make a List of What Has Been Stolen
With advice from the police assess the situation and work out what exactly has been taken. There may be sentimental items that are irreplaceable, high value items that can be replaced by your contents insurance or information sensitive items that are missing. Make a list so that you can decide what action needs to be taken for each missing item. Ensure that the police have a copy of the list as there may be an action that they need to take for specific items such as medication which could be a danger to children if the burglar was to discard it.
7) Contact Your Bank as a Priority
A top priority is to notify your bank about anything connected to your bank accounts which have been stolen. It is vital to prevent access to your accounts without delay!
8) Contact Your Mobile Phone Provider
The same applies to mobile phones – contact your provider as a priority and block the account. Let the police know if there is a tracking device on your phone.
9) Report Car Key Theft
If car keys have been stolen inform your insurance company immediately and arrange for your car to be taken to a garage to have the keys reprogrammed.
10) Report Theft of Sensitive Documents
Documents with sensitive information should also be reported to the provider – for example passports, library cards, driving license and anything else that could be used.
11) Contact Your Contents Insurance Company
When contacting your contents insurance company ensure you have a crime number from the police. Also, be prepared for questions about how the intruder accessed your property. This could mean the difference between the insurance paying out or not!
12) Contact a Victim Support Group
Following a burglary there can be a great emotional impact on individuals and families. In particular the elderly and the very young. There are organisations that can offer support such as Victim Support.
You can find further burglary advice information on the police crime prevention website