Burglary is often dismissed as a property crime. Burglars are frequently motivated by the prospect of discovering tiny, high-value things that are simple to sell; hence, law enforcement is mainly focused on property loss.

Anyone who has been burgled knows that the consequences of the crime extend well beyond the loss of personal property. For many individuals, the financial effect of a burglary is enormous, but the mental turmoil that comes with being burgled frequently lasts far longer. Because many victims of crime believe that the police, courts, or insurance companies do not consider their experiences, the long-term consequences may be devastating.

According to the latest Scottish recorded crime statistics, nearly ten thousand homes were broken into 2020-21 with over forty thousand cases of vandalism also recorded. Clean-up rates for both types of crime were less than a third. Despite a trend of falling crime rates in the United Kingdom, many commentators have voiced concerns that the cost of living crisis could lead to an increase in housebreaking and property crime.

The majority of burglaries are opportunistic, so deterring and preventing these should be a priority for homeowners.

The first step is to deal with the immediate upheaval and mess left behind by a burglary, which can take a long time to handle. The first thing a burglary victim should do after notifying the police is safeguard their house. If the perpetrators utilised a visible means of entry, such as a broken window or a forced lock, a glazier or locksmith should be called to repair it. However, a significant majority of crimes are perpetrated via an unlocked door or window which is an open invitation to housebreakers.

The next step is to clean up. Mobile phones, computers, and other readily transportable high-value goods such as jewellery are often targeted by burglars. They often create tremendous upheaval in a house, and it may be difficult to figure out exactly what’s gone wrong right away. When papers are stolen, it’s critical to notify banks, building societies, and other financial institutions that there’s a danger of future fraud or identity theft. The act of cleaning up may be very unpleasant for victims, so enlisting the support of friends, family, or neighbours can be quite beneficial.

Any stolen things must be replaced, and most individuals will file a claim with their insurance company to pay for these expenses. In order to submit this claim, victims must get a crime number from the police, although some police departments will no longer commit major resources to burglary investigations.

Because there is no clear evidence of who the burglar is via things like CCTV, the police are likely to conclude that they lack the personnel to pursue the case successfully. The psychological impacts of burglary are also apparent in many victims, who report feelings of wrath, astonishment, concern, and dread. Nearly half of burglary victims were present at the time of the break-in, which might add to the traumatic aspect of the event.

A housebreaking can lead victims to suffer from sadness or anxiety, and lead to trouble sleeping. Another effect is that burglary victims become more aware of other potential crimes and are more likely to become victims of violent crimes or robberies on the street. Children are especially vulnerable to the idea of a stranger in their house, so it’s crucial for parents to talk to them about their fears and how to alleviate them.

Victims should address their concerns with their police liaison officer or general practitioner to see whether counselling is available, as well as strategies to reduce the odds of being burgled again.

Even if you are a victim of a burglary, keep in mind that the thief is to blame, not you. It’s tempting to blame oneself after a break-in, yet most houses can be broken into by a determined thief.

It is, nonetheless, possible to act. It is a viable choice to install equipment in your house. Potential burglars will be put off by a large deterrent notice, while sensors and a loud alarm might make an invader hesitate. Installing photo detectors to catch the thief on video and having guards visit your house in the event of an alert being activated are additional options.

As with many things in life, prevention is better than cure when it comes to burglary. An important element of this strategy is getting a home security system professionally-installed. A monitored home alarm and security camera system can help to deter housebreakers and encourage them to go elsewhere. Ultimate Alarms supply and install quality Pyronix and Hikvision security products in homes across west central Scotland including Glasgow, East Kilbride, Paisley and Hamilton. Call Ultimate today to arrange your free home security consultation.