What to Do After a Burglary: The Complete UK Step-by-Step Guide

What to Do After a Burglary: The Complete UK Step-by-Step Guide

Coming home to find your door forced open or a window smashed is one of the worst feelings imaginable. Your heart drops, your hands shake, and your mind races. I have been called out to hundreds of burglary aftermaths across Coventry and Warwickshire, and I want you to know something straight away: what you are feeling is completely normal.

But right now, you need to act. This guide walks you through exactly what to do, step by step, so you can protect yourself, preserve evidence, and start putting things right.

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Step 1: Do Not Touch Anything

I know the instinct is to rush inside and check what is missing. Please resist it.

If you arrive home and see signs of a break-in — a forced door, a smashed window, things out of place — **do not go inside**. The burglar could still be in the property. Even if you are sure they have gone, every surface you touch, every door you open, and every drawer you rummage through is potential evidence destroyed.

Go to a neighbour's house or sit in your car. Take a breath. Then make the calls.

Step 2: Call the Police

If you believe the burglary is **still in progress** — you can hear someone inside, or you have just seen someone leaving — call **999** immediately. Do not confront them. Get somewhere safe and call.

If the burglary has already happened and the intruder is gone, call **101** (the non-emergency line). In Coventry, West Midlands Police will log the crime and arrange for an officer to attend. Response times vary — during busy periods it can take several hours for a non-emergency burglary attendance, but they will come.

You need a crime reference number. This is essential for your insurance claim. The police will give you one either over the phone or when they attend. Write it down and keep it safe.

Step 3: Do Not Clean Up Until Police Have Attended

I know it feels wrong to leave your home in a mess, but the police may want to dust for fingerprints, check for DNA evidence, or photograph the scene. Do not tidy up, hoover, or wipe surfaces until they have finished.

If there is broken glass or the property is not secure, tell the police this when you call — they may prioritise attendance or advise you on what you can safely touch.

Step 4: Get Emergency Boarding Up If Needed

If a door has been forced or a window smashed, your home is not secure. You need emergency boarding up to protect against further intrusion, weather damage, and to satisfy your insurance company that you took reasonable steps to secure the property.

I offer [emergency boarding up across Coventry](/services/boarding-up) from **£79**. I carry marine-grade plywood in the van and can board up doors and windows within 30 minutes of arrival. Call me on **07735 336175** — I am available 24/7, including evenings and weekends.

Your insurance company may cover boarding up costs, so keep the receipt.

Step 5: Call Your Insurance Company Within 24 Hours

Most home insurance policies require you to report a burglary within **24 hours**. Some give you longer, but do not risk it — call as soon as you can.

Have the following ready when you call:

Your insurer will talk you through their claims process. Many will appoint a loss adjuster for larger claims. Keep every receipt from this point forward — boarding up, lock changes, replacement items.

Step 6: Change All the Locks

This is critical, and it is the step many people overlook in the chaos.

Burglars frequently **take keys** they find inside the property. House keys left on a hook by the door, car keys on the kitchen counter, spare keys in a drawer — if they are gone, the burglar can come back any time they like. They also sometimes copy keys and return them, so even if your keys appear untouched, you cannot be certain.

Change every external lock. Front door, back door, side door, garage. I recommend upgrading to [anti-snap cylinders](/services/lock-change) at the same time — if the burglar got in by snapping your euro cylinder, replacing it with the same type is just inviting them back.

A full lock change on all external doors typically costs from **£69 per lock** depending on the type. I carry the most common locks and cylinders in my van, so this can usually be done the same day. See my full [pricing page](/prices) for details.

Step 7: Document Everything for Insurance

Once the police have finished, go through every room methodically and list everything that is missing or damaged. Take photographs of:

For stolen items, note the make, model, serial number if you have it, and approximate value. Check old emails for purchase receipts — Amazon order history is often useful. Your insurer will want as much detail as possible.

Step 8: Consider Security Upgrades

A burglary is traumatic, but it is also an opportunity to make sure it does not happen again. The most effective upgrades I recommend to Coventry homeowners after a break-in:

I can assess your home security and recommend specific upgrades based on how the burglary happened. Call me on **07735 336175** or visit the [emergency lockout service page](/services/emergency-lockout) for more information.

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A Note on How You Are Feeling

I want to say something that is not in most guides like this. A burglary is not just a property crime — it is a violation of your personal space. Many people feel unsafe in their own home for weeks or months afterwards. Some feel angry, some feel anxious, some feel violated. All of those feelings are valid.

Victim Support offers free, confidential help to anyone affected by crime in the UK. You do not need to have reported the crime to the police to use the service. Call them on **0808 168 9111** or visit victimsupport.org.uk.

Changing the locks and upgrading security genuinely helps many people feel safer again. It is a practical step that gives you back some control. If you want to talk through your options, call me on **07735 336175** — I am happy to chat even if you are not ready to book anything yet.

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Common Mistakes After a Burglary

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What to Expect From the Police in Coventry

West Midlands Police will attend most residential burglaries, though response times for non-emergency calls can vary. A Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO) may attend to dust for fingerprints and collect evidence. The investigation will be handled by your local policing team.

Be realistic about outcomes — detection rates for burglary in the UK are low. But reporting is still essential for insurance, crime statistics (which affect local policing priorities), and in case evidence links your burglary to a wider pattern.

You can check the progress of your case using the crime reference number on the West Midlands Police website.