If you’ve returned home to find that your house has been broken into, it is natural to feel fearful, angry or panicked. But, it is important to remember to stay calm: the police will do all they can to catch the perpetrator of the crime and, as far as possible, help you get back to normal. And there are always affordable home security solutions you can implement to ensure your property is safe from intruders in the future. At the moment, all you should be thinking about is informing the police of the break-in and getting yourself and your family to a safe place. So, with this in mind, here’s what to do if your house has been broken into.
Don’t touch anything
Whether your home has been vandalised or burgled, the intruder will hopefully have left fingerprints around the property – whether at the point of entry, on bits of furniture or items within the home, or on something they have dropped – which help the police to catch the criminal. Fingerprints are easily erased, though, so it’s important not to touch anything until the police say that you can. Just leave the house as you found it until the police arrive.
Leave the house
While it’s natural to want to assess the damage following a break-in, the most important thing is to keep yourself and your family safe until the police arrive – whether this means seeking refuge at a neighbour’s house or sitting in your car with the doors locked. There’s always a risk that the criminal is still hiding in your home, so the police will want to do a thorough check before they let you enter the property again.
Call 999
Once you’re in a safe place, call 999. The police do not need to know the specifics – just that your house has been broken into.
Note down anything suspicious
While you’re waiting for the police to arrive, you could keep an eye out for any people or cars that you do not recognise. If you can, jot down descriptions and number plates for anything that seems out of place or suspicious.
Make a list of stolen items
The police will explain this when they arrive, but, for the purposes of the police investigation and your insurance claim, you will need to make a list of anything that was stolen, broken or damaged during the break-in. It’s always worth taking photos to back this up.
We recently fitted a number of burglar alarms to homes in Caterham following increased intrusions.
Secure your property
To put your mind at ease following a break-in, you might like to invest in some security solutions for your home. If you haven’t already, you could talk to security experts about installing a burglar alarm and/or a CCTV system to protect your home against intruders.
Here at Angel Security, we can help you choose the right security solutions for your needs – whether you’ve experienced a break-in or simply want to make your home more secure. Contact us today to find out more.
