What to Do Immediately After a Break-In: A Calm Checklist
Discovering your home has been broken into is frightening and disorientating. Knowing the right steps in advance helps you stay calm, protect your safety, and get your property secure again as quickly as possible. Here is a practical checklist for the first few hours after a break-in.
1. Do not go inside if anyone may still be there
If you arrive home and suspect a burglar could still be inside, do not enter. Go to a safe place, a neighbour's house or your car, and call 999. Your safety always comes before your belongings.
2. Call the police and get a crime reference number
Report the burglary to the police. For a crime in progress dial 999; otherwise call 101. You will be given a crime reference number, which you will need for your insurance claim. Try not to touch anything until officers advise you can, as the scene may hold evidence.
3. Document everything before you tidy
- Take clear photographs of the point of entry, any damage to doors, windows or locks, and the rooms that were disturbed.
- Make a written list of what is missing, with serial numbers where you have them.
- Keep any damaged locks or broken glass aside until your insurer confirms what they need.
4. Contact your insurer promptly
Notify your home insurance provider as soon as practical. They will explain what evidence they need and whether they have approved suppliers. Most policies expect you to take reasonable steps to secure the property, which is where a locksmith comes in.
5. Make the property secure
A burgled home is often left with a smashed door, a broken window, or a forced lock, which means it is no longer secure. This is the moment to arrange professional help. A locksmith can change compromised locks, fit insurance-grade BS3621 mortice locks or anti-snap TS007 cylinders, and arrange burglary repairs and property boarding so your home is watertight and safe overnight.
- Change any locks that were forced, picked, or had keys stolen.
- Board up broken windows or doors until permanent repairs are made.
- Check that all other entry points still lock properly — burglars often test more than one door.
6. Repair and upgrade afterwards
Once the immediate emergency is handled, think about preventing a repeat. Forced uPVC doors frequently need a new multipoint gearbox, and timber doors may benefit from a five-lever BS3621 mortice deadlock. Upgrading to a SS312 Diamond or TS007 3-star cylinder makes snapping and bumping far harder. If your door mechanism was damaged in the break-in, our team also carries out uPVC door repairs to restore smooth, secure operation.
Looking after yourself
A break-in can be unsettling for days afterwards. Tell a trusted friend or family member, and do not be afraid to ask for support. Getting your home secure quickly often helps restore that vital sense of safety.
MrSpeedy Locksmith offers 24/7 emergency boarding and lock replacement across Birmingham, so you are never left with an insecure home after a burglary.