Home Burglary: How to Protect Your Property and Respond to a Break-In, Checked November 9, 2026

Information checked: November 9, 2026, at 5:06 p.m. UTC (UTC+00:00).

If you suspect a break-in, put your safety first: stay outside, move to a safe place, and call 999 if an intruder may still be there or anyone is in immediate danger. If the intruder has gone and there is no emergency, report the burglary to police on 101 or through your local force’s reporting service.

For prevention, start with the doors, windows, and outbuildings you use every day. Consistently locking them, keeping keys out of sight, and making the property look occupied can reduce opportunities for an intruder. No measure can guarantee that a burglary will not happen.

Destaques

• Do not enter a property if an intruder could still be inside; call 999 from a safe place.
• Avoid touching or cleaning disturbed areas until police advise you about evidence.
• Lock doors and windows, including garage and shed access, and review weak locks.
• After reporting a break-in, contact your insurer and providers of any stolen cards or devices.

What should you do immediately after a break-in?

If you arrive home to find a forced door, broken window, or another sign of entry, do not go inside to investigate. Go to a neighbor or another safe place. Police Scotland advises calling 999 if you think the intruder is still there and 101 if the intruder has gone. Call 999 as well if a crime is in progress or someone is in immediate danger.

If you are already inside and believe someone may be present, avoid confronting them. Get to safety if you can and call 999. Tell the operator your location and follow their instructions. For a non-emergency report, Police.uk explains the available contact options, including 101 and online reporting where offered.

How can you preserve evidence after a burglary?

Once you are safe, leave the scene as you found it as far as possible. Avoid walking through areas the intruder may have used, and do not touch damaged doors, windows, displaced belongings, or suspected footprints. Tell police about anything you have already moved and ask what they need you to preserve.

If you have a doorbell camera or CCTV, tell the police. The Metropolitan Police advises keeping the original recording and, if possible, downloading footage covering five minutes before and after the incident. Do not change the device settings or delete the original. Note the time displayed by the device, especially if its clock may be inaccurate.

Ask police when it is appropriate to photograph damage, tidy up, or arrange repairs. If an opening must be secured urgently, explain that to the police and follow their advice on protecting evidence. Photographing damage before repair can also help document your loss. Do not put yourself at risk around broken glass or an unsecured property.

Who should you contact after a home burglary?

Keep your police crime reference number and the contact information you are given. You may need the number when speaking with your insurer. In England and Wales, victims are entitled to written confirmation of their report and a crime reference number; arrangements and rights differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland. See GOV.UK’s guide to victims’ rights for the relevant jurisdiction.

Contact your home insurer promptly and ask what information it needs before repairs or replacement purchases. Coverage, deductibles, and claim requirements depend on your policy. If you rent, tell your landlord or property manager about damaged locks or windows and arrange for the property to be made secure.

Make a list of missing or damaged items when police say you can safely do so. Include descriptions, serial numbers, photographs, receipts, and approximate values if available. Give updates to the police and insurer as you discover more; do not guess details you cannot confirm.

If bank cards, phones, identity documents, or keys are missing, contact the relevant bank or provider quickly. Ask your mobile provider to block a stolen phone or SIM, change important account passwords from a trusted device, and consider whether stolen keys make a lock change necessary. If car keys were taken, tell your vehicle insurer as well.

How can you make your home harder to burgle?

Work through the property from the outside in. Check the front and back doors, accessible windows, garage, shed, and any connecting door into the house. Repair damaged frames and locks, and lock doors and windows at night, when you leave, and when they are not in use.

For a multi-point locking door, simply closing it may not engage all the locks. The Metropolitan Police recommends lifting the handle, turning the key, and removing it. If replacing a euro cylinder, its guidance recommends a three-star cylinder meeting TS 007. Ask a qualified locksmith what fits your door, and check any insurer requirements before making changes.

Keep house and car keys away from doors, windows, and letterboxes, but make sure everyone can still escape quickly in a fire. Store ladders and tools securely so they cannot be easily used to reach or force an entrance. Use exterior lighting around entrances and consider a timer for indoor lights when you are away. Ask someone you trust to collect visible mail or check the property during a longer absence.

An alarm or camera can be useful as part of a wider plan, but it does not replace sound locks and everyday habits. Before buying equipment, consider installation, maintenance, recording settings, and how you will respond to an alert. Review camera placement and applicable privacy rules if it captures areas beyond your property.

What happens after you report a burglary?

Police will explain the next steps for your report. An investigation or forensic examination may depend on the circumstances and available evidence; reporting does not guarantee that property will be recovered. Keep a record of new information and use the contact details supplied to ask for an update.

A break-in can also affect your sense of safety. Ask police about local victim support or contact a victim-support organization in your part of the UK. If you feel unsafe staying at home, speak with someone you trust or your housing provider about immediate practical options.

Frequently asked questions

Should I call 999 or 101 after a burglary?

Call 999 if the crime is happening, an intruder may still be inside, or someone is in immediate danger. Use 101 or your local police force’s non-emergency reporting service when the intruder has gone and there is no immediate danger.

Can I clean up before police arrive?

Ask police first. Avoid touching or cleaning disturbed areas because fingerprints, footprints, and other evidence may be present. If you need to make the property safe, tell police and follow their instructions.

Should I change my locks after a break-in?

Consider changing them if keys were stolen or the locks were damaged. First discuss evidence preservation and urgent security with police, then check your insurance policy and, if you rent, contact your landlord.