If your home has been broken into, you may be wondering, “What do I do now?” Learn what to do immediately after experiencing a housebreak, whether you’re panicked or just don’t know where to turn. This advice will help you get through the process as swiftly and painlessly as possible.
Call Police Scotland
The first thing you should do after a home burglary is call the police.
If you are not at home and/or believe the burglar is still present, call 999.
This is a critical situation so do not enter the house to make the call.
If you’re certain the intruders have fled,
This isn’t a life or death situation. Call Police Scotland on 101.
The longer you wait to call the police, the less likely they are to apprehend the criminals and return your stolen property.
When the officers arrive, they’ll question you and examine the crime scene. Later, neighbours and witnesses will be interviewed. You will be given a crime reference number by the police, which you must present to your insurer.
A forensic team should be at your property within four hours after you report the break-in. They’ll be collecting forensic evidence like fingerprints, so don’t move or touch anything until the cops and the forensic team have done their investigation.
The police will keep you updated on the status of your case. The witness care unit will keep you updated on the investigation if a suspect is charged. They will supply you with information so that you can appear in court if necessary. They will also keep you updated on the progress of the investigation through the criminal court system until your case is closed.
Make an inventory of your belongings and property
Make a careful and complete list of all the objects that have been damaged or taken when the police come to your home. Include as much information as possible regarding the things and their value. Give this list to the cops, and make sure you have extra copies for your records and to give to your insurance company.
Take pictures or videos of the damage to your property. This is what you’ll need to show your insurance carrier to confirm that certain items were taken and that your home was harmed as a result of the theft.
Contact your insurance company
If you have insurance, you must file a claim within 24 hours of filing a police complaint, so call them as soon as possible. A claim adjuster will most likely come to your home to check the damage, so be sure you haven’t moved or touched anything until the police tell you to.
If your car keys have been stolen, you may also need to notify your insurance provider, as there is a chance the burglar will return to steal your vehicle. Your vehicle insurance provider will arrange for your car to be towed in so that your spare key may be reprogrammed. They may also provide you with a new key or card. Check your insurance policy to see whether some of the costs are covered.
Step 4: Get in touch with your financial institution.
After you’ve contacted the police and your insurance provider, you’ll need to contact your bank to see if any of your cards, checks, or other valuables have been stolen. You should also contact the police if a computer, tablet, phone, or other device containing banking or financial information has been stolen. To avoid fraud and further theft, you should contact your bank and financial institutions as soon as possible. Your bank will be able to stop anyone from using your cards right away and give you new ones.
Inform any other relevant parties
Consider what was taken and who else you might need to inform.
Clean up the mess and arrange emergency repairs
After the police and your insurance provider have thoroughly documented the break-in, you can begin the process of restoring the damage. Until a repair company can come and remedy the damage, board up any broken doors or windows. Then remove all other evidence of the break-in. It’s critical to make your home as secure as possible as soon as possible without interfering with the police investigation or your insurance claims.
Self-care
Burglaries can leave you and your loved ones feeling uncomfortable, uneasy, and emotionally traumatized, in addition to merely losing belongings and causing damage to your property. You should start thinking about taking care of yourself and your family after you’ve dealt with all of the pressing measures. If you’re worried about a home burglary, contact Victim Support Scotland, a nationwide organisation that offers free and private support to crime victims and witnesses, as well as their families.
Victim Support Scotland can be reached at 0800 160 1985.
Step 8: Take precautionary measures.
Certain precautionary actions can now be taken to help you feel safer and secure in your own home and lessen the chance of a second house burglary. Consider replacing your doors, windows, and locks, as well as installing a security system, to make your property safer in the future. To avoid getting burgled again, have a look at some of our useful home security recommendations.
At Ultimate Alarms we know how traumatic a break-in can be so it is always better to do whatever you can to prevent a burglary in the first place.
A monitored alarm delivers true peace of mind as it means that professional security operators are remotely overseeing and responding to your home’s security system, every day of the year 24/7. This means that, unlike unmonitored systems, your alarm is never just ignored when you are at work, away for the day or off on holiday. For full protection we at Ultimate Alarms recommend installing a monitored home security system. We supply & install across central Scotland. Click for monitored alarm details.
