Discovering your home has been broken into is one of the most distressing things that can happen. The combination of shock, violation, and practical urgency is overwhelming — and it's difficult to think clearly about what to do and in what order. This guide is written to give you a calm, practical sequence to follow in the hours and days after a burglary.
Step 1: Don't Go Inside If You Think the Burglar Is Still There
If you arrive home and notice signs of a break-in — a door open or damaged, a window smashed, obvious disorder — don't go in. Go to a neighbour's property and call 999. There's a small but real possibility someone is still inside, and your safety comes first. Wait until the police arrive before entering.
If you've already gone inside before realising what's happened, leave as calmly as you can, take note of anything you've already touched, and call 999 from outside.
Step 2: Call the Police
Call 999 if the break-in is in progress or if you believe the burglar may still be nearby. If the burglary has already happened and you're safe, call 101 — the non-emergency police line. They will log the crime and arrange for an officer to attend.
You'll be given a crime reference number. Write it down and keep it safe — you'll need it for your insurance claim and any subsequent follow-up.
Step 3: Don't Touch Anything Until the Police Have Attended
As much as the natural instinct is to tidy up and restore order, try to leave the scene as undisturbed as possible until an officer has attended. The police may want to check for fingerprints, footprints, or other forensic evidence. Moving things before they arrive can compromise that.
If the burglar entered through a window or door that is now open and exposed to the elements, you can close it to prevent further damage — but try not to touch the area around the entry point any more than necessary.
Step 4: Make a List of What's Missing
Once the police have attended and said it's okay to move around the property, go through each room carefully and make a written list of everything that appears to be missing. Include as much detail as possible for each item — make, model, serial number if you have it, approximate value, and when you last saw it.
Check less obvious places too — burglars often look through drawers and cupboards and sometimes leave disturbed areas that might not be immediately obvious. Passports, chequebooks, and personal documents are sometimes taken along with obvious valuables.
Step 5: Photograph the Damage
Before anything is repaired or cleaned up, photograph all the damage — forced doors, broken windows, damaged frames, broken locks. Take clear photos from multiple angles. This documentation is important for your insurance claim and useful to have on record regardless.
Step 6: Contact Your Insurer
Call your home insurer as soon as practically possible — ideally the same day. They will guide you through the claims process and may have specific requirements about what they need from you. Have your crime reference number ready.
Some insurers have a 24-hour helpline for exactly this situation. Check your policy documents for the right number to call. Your insurer may also be able to authorise emergency repair work — boarding up a window, for example — and cover the cost under the claim.
On lock standards: When you make an insurance claim following a break-in, your insurer may check whether your locks met the standards specified in your policy. If they didn't — for example, if you had a basic cylinder rather than an anti-snap one — they may reduce or contest the payout. It's worth understanding what your policy requires before anything happens, rather than after.
Step 7: Secure the Property
This is urgent. Before you sleep in the property again, it needs to be properly secured — regardless of how the burglar got in. Even if entry was through a window rather than a lock, the locks themselves should be replaced or at minimum re-keyed, because you have no way of knowing whether a key was taken or copied.
A locksmith should be called to:
- Assess all external doors and locks for damage or compromise
- Replace any locks that were forced, damaged, or that the burglar had access to
- Repair or temporarily board any damaged door frames until a proper replacement can be arranged
- Advise on any other points of vulnerability that may have been exploited or that should be addressed
Most locksmiths, including AMP Lock, treat post-burglary calls as priority. The property needs to be secure by nightfall.
Step 8: Look After Yourself
The practical steps are important but so is recognising the emotional impact. Being burgled is a violation of your home and your sense of safety, and it's completely normal to feel shaken, angry, or anxious afterwards — sometimes for weeks. Talk to people close to you, and don't underestimate the value of having the property properly secured as quickly as possible — it's hard to feel settled in a home that feels compromised.
Victim Support (victimsupport.org.uk) offers free, confidential support for people affected by crime, including burglary, and is worth contacting if you find the experience is affecting you more than expected.
Emergency Locksmith After a Burglary in Stourbridge
If your home has been broken into in Stourbridge, Halesowen, Dudley, Kingswinford, Hagley, or surrounding areas, call or WhatsApp AMP Lock on 07961 169 681. We'll assess the damage, replace compromised locks, and make the property secure. Available 24 hours — no call-out fee, and pricing confirmed before we start.