September 2022
We are firm believers in creating information to make dealing with the trauma of experiencing a home burglary accessible to everyone. Our experts have put together this simple guide, discussing the necessary steps to be taken by a home or property owner after a burglary.
Report the Burglary
Once the shock has faded enough to allow you to make a phone call, one of the very first things you should do after a burglary or attempted burglary, is to report it to the local police authorities straight away. The sooner the crime is reported, the sooner the authorities can proceed with processing the crime. Make sure you document your Crime Reference Number (CRN).
If possible, you should try not to touch anything in the home until the police have arrived at the scene, as they may need to take photographs of the aftermath or damage for evidence in the case.
Check the Purse or Wallet
Many of us leave our purse or wallets in ‘safe’ places in our homes; whether that is in a kitchen cupboard, or tucked away in the bottom of a bag. So, when a burglary happens, it’s important that you check the obvious places for the cards. If you suspect that your credit or debit cards have been stolen, you should cancel these as soon as you can; some banks allow their customers to freeze cards directly on their Banking Apps. Freezing a card through a Banking App can give you some breathing space to deal with the damage directly in front of you, as it means the card will not be able to be used to make any transactions or purchases, and if it turns out to be in your back pocket, you can simply hop on the app and unfreeze the card.
Change Passwords
Burglars will always try to grab the most valuable items they can, and in today’s day and age, that includes laptops, tablets and mobile phones. These are devices that many of us use to log-in to highly sensitive accounts, including email and banking apps. It may be worthwhile considering changing passwords for any accounts which are already logged into through a laptop or mobile device for added security.
Create a List of What was Taken
After the dust has settled, and the police have collected all the necessary evidence, you should then sit down and create a list of any items that were taken or damaged during the crime. This can help when communicating with your insurance company.
Review CCTV Footage
If you have CCTV, you should also review this for any evidence that can be handed over to the police to further assist their investigation. It may also be worth asking your neighbours if they witnessed anything suspicious around the time the crime occurred.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Be sure to contact your insurance company after the crime takes place, as your policy may have the cost of replacing some items.
Don’t Become a Repeat Target
Unfortunately, it’s not unheard of for criminals to target the same property again after a break-in. This is because they are aware that their victims will likely purchase replacements for the items taken during the first incident – this is most likely for items such as televisions, mobiles and laptops.
As mentioned in one of our previous articles, you should avoid advertising any expensive purchases. Consider taking boxes straight to the recycling centre or breaking them down into small pieces to fit in the recycling bin instead of leaving it out on show until your designated bin collection day.
Assess Your Security
It may be worth checking or replacing any windows or doors that were damaged in the incident but a lot can also be learnt by re-assessing your home security. Ask yourself how YOU would break into your property – take a look at it from all angles to make sure you aren’t leaving any areas vulnerable. We cover a whole range of home security tips in a separate post which can be found here.
Maintain Your Intruder Alarm System
Contact your alarm supplier to organise routine system maintenance to be carried out on your system. This is the best way to ensure that the alarm system you have installed will activate when you need it to. At Lynx, we offer the highest standard of servicing and maintenance, but you can read more about our services here.
Don’t Feel Alone
Millions of people in the UK experience a home burglary, and it can be extremely stressful. Don’t be afraid to reach out to family and friends for support as you put the home back together. There are also victim support groups set up all over the country that you can reach out to and join.
Enjoy this blog? Check out our other blogs here for more tips, answers and advice!
Common Customer Queries
1. What should I do if something is wrong with my security system?
Our engineers are able to help with any home security issues that may incur, no matter the time of day, across the Midlands. You can contact our office throughout the working week and an emergency engineer will be available both evenings and weekends via our out-of-hours service.
2. What systems do Lynx install and maintain?
We offer systems for both commercial and domestic properties.
For commercial properties, we can install and maintain Intruder Alarms, Fire Alarms, CCTV Systems and Access Control Systems/Door Access Systems. We also offer Emergency Lighting System maintenance for commercial buildings if already attending to conduct preventative maintenance on other systems.
For domestic premises, we offer installations and maintenance of Intruder Alarms and CCTV Systems. Access systems can also be installed in homes.
3. Is Wi-Fi required for my burglar alarm?
A Wi-Fi connection isn’t a necessary requirement for a home burglar alarm system to function effectively. However, Lynx do offer a variety of services that can utilise your home’s internet connection for notifications about alarm activations and events. HomeControl2.0 is an app by Pyronix, enabling you to receive notifications, arm, disarm, and view the status of your alarm on your mobile device.
4. How likely am I to get burgled?
The likelihood of burglary depends on a variety of different factors such as location and your home security.
However, if you’re looking for more specific statistics, a house is burgled every 165-189 seconds on average. This makes having a security system vital for the protection of your property.
Check out our FAQ's page for more.