What to Do Immediately After a Break-In

After a break-in, make sure everyone is safe and do not enter if an intruder may still be inside. Call the police, photograph the damage for your insurer, and avoid tidying until advised. Then get the property secured with a 24-hour board up and make-secure service, which many insurance policies cover.

Coming home or arriving at your premises to find you have been broken into is a horrible feeling. It is easy to panic, but the right steps in the first hour protect the people involved, keep any evidence intact for the police, and get your property secure again. This guide sets out a calm, practical order to work through so nothing important gets missed.

First, Make Sure Everyone Is Safe

Before anything else, make sure everyone is out of harm's way. Property can be replaced. People cannot.

• Do not go inside if an intruder may still be there: If you arrive to a forced door or broken window and you have any doubt the property is empty, stay outside and call the police on 999.
• Get to a safe place: Wait with a neighbour, in your car, or somewhere nearby where you can see the property but are not exposed.
• Call emergency services if anyone is hurt or in danger: If someone has been injured or is in immediate danger, ring 999 for the police and ambulance straight away.
• Keep children and pets back: There may be broken glass or other hazards, so keep everyone clear until the area has been checked.

Call the Police and Get a Crime Reference

Once everyone is safe, report the break-in. The police will log the incident and give you a crime reference number, which you will need for your insurance claim.

• Use 999 if the crime is in progress or someone is in danger, and 101 to report a break-in that has already happened and there is no immediate threat.
• Write down the crime reference number as soon as you are given it. Your insurer will ask for it.
• Ask whether they want to attend before you start moving anything, as they may want to examine the scene first.
• Note the time you reported it and the name or number of the officer or call handler you spoke to.

Protect the Scene and Take Photos

It is tempting to start tidying and putting things back, but try to leave the scene as it is until the police have advised you can clear up. Good photos help both the police and your insurer.

• Avoid tidying until police advise: Disturbed areas, footprints, and tool marks can all be useful, so leave them in place where you can.
• Photograph the damage: Take clear pictures of forced doors, broken windows, damaged shutters, and any disturbed rooms before anything is moved.
• Note anything missing: Make a list of items that have been taken, with descriptions, serial numbers, and any receipts or photos you have of them.
• Do not handle items unnecessarily: Touching surfaces the intruder may have used can disturb fingerprints, so keep handling to a minimum.

Get the Property Secured

A broken door, smashed window, or damaged shutter leaves you exposed to a second break-in and to the weather. Getting the property secured quickly is one of the most important steps after the police have what they need.

• Don't leave openings unprotected: Broken doors, windows, and shutters are an open invitation to further entry and let in rain and wind.
• Use a 24-hour board up and make-secure service: A professional team can board up openings, fit temporary security, and make the property safe quickly.
• Check your cover: Many insurance policies cover emergency mitigation, the work needed to stop further loss or damage straight after an incident.
• We aim to be on site within the hour: Secupro covers Hull and East Yorkshire and aims to reach you within the hour, often sooner, to make the property secure.

Notify Your Insurer

Contact your insurer as soon as you reasonably can. The sooner you start the claim, the smoother the process tends to be, and they can confirm what you are covered for.

• Call as soon as possible: Report the break-in to your insurer promptly and give them the crime reference number from the police.
• Keep documentation and photos: Hold on to your photos, your list of missing items, and any receipts or invoices for emergency work.
• Ask what your policy covers: Check what is included for emergency securing, board up, and permanent repairs so there are no surprises.
• Keep receipts for emergency work: If you pay for an emergency board up, keep the paperwork so you can claim it back where your policy allows.

Reducing the Risk Next Time

Once the immediate situation is dealt with, it is worth thinking about how the property was entered and what would make it harder next time. Small upgrades can make a real difference.

• Anti-snap cylinders: Standard euro cylinders can be snapped quickly. Upgrading to anti-snap cylinders closes off one of the most common entry methods.
• Lock upgrades: Replacing tired or basic locks with stronger, insurance-rated locks improves security on doors and windows.
• Access control: For business premises, access control lets you manage who can get in and keeps a record of entry.
• Well-maintained shutters: Roller shutters that are in good working order add a strong visual and physical deterrent.

If you are not sure where your weak points are, Secupro can carry out a free security check and talk you through sensible, no-pressure improvements for your home or business.

Frequently Asked Questions