How to Protect Your House After a Break-In
What to Do Immediately After a Break-In
Discovering a break-in at your home is deeply unsettling. It is important to act quickly and in the right order to protect yourself, support any police investigation, and restore your security.
Do Not Enter If You Are Unsure It Is Safe
If you have just returned home and suspect someone has broken in, do not go inside. Call 999 from a safe distance and wait for the police to arrive.
Call the Police and Document Everything
Report the incident to your local police. Officers will gather evidence and take a statement, which can help with locating stolen items and investigating the crime. Before anything is moved, photograph the entry point and any damaged areas - this documentation is essential for both the police and your insurance claim.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Notify your home insurer as soon as possible after contacting the police. They will tell you exactly what documentation is needed to process your claim and may be able to arrange emergency boarding or glazing repairs.
Arrange Emergency Security
If a door or window has been forced, you cannot leave the property unsecured. An emergency locksmith can attend quickly to board up access points, replace broken locks, and fit temporary security measures until permanent repairs can be made.
Strengthening Your Home Security After a Break-In
Once the immediate situation is handled, use it as an opportunity to improve your home’s defences.
Upgrade Your Locks
If burglars gained entry by forcing or snapping a lock, replacing like-for-like is not enough. Ask your locksmith to assess the entry point and recommend a properly rated alternative. For most front and back doors, a BS 3621-rated or Sold Secure Gold cylinder will provide a dramatically higher level of resistance.
For a comprehensive lock change and upgrade, our team can advise on the best options for your specific doors.
Reinforce Doors and Frames
A strong lock is only as good as the door it is fitted to. Consider:
- Steel door reinforcement bars fitted to the frame behind the strike plate
- Hinge bolts to prevent door removal from the hinge side
- Solid core or composite doors if your existing door was easily forced
Improve Window Security
If entry was gained through a window, or if your windows remain a weak point, fit window locks, sash jammers, or security glazing film. Laminated glass is far more resistant to breaking than standard glass and is worth considering for vulnerable ground-floor windows.
Install or Upgrade a Security System
A monitored alarm system and CCTV cameras both deter future intrusions and provide evidence if another incident occurs. Modern systems allow you to monitor your property remotely via your smartphone and receive alerts if a door or window is opened.
Smart locks, video doorbells, and motion-activated lighting are all effective additions that integrate with most smart home platforms.
Review Your Landscaping
Overgrown hedges and shrubs close to the house provide cover for intruders. Trim back vegetation, particularly near windows, side gates, and rear access points. Install motion-activated lighting to illuminate dark corners.
The Emotional Impact of a Break-In
A break-in affects more than just property. It can leave residents feeling anxious or unsafe at home for some time afterwards. If you or members of your household are struggling, speaking to a counsellor or GP can be genuinely helpful. Organisations such as Victim Support offer free, confidential assistance to anyone affected by crime.
Engage Your Neighbours
This is also a good time to connect with neighbours and consider joining or forming a Neighbourhood Watch scheme. A community that looks out for each other is one of the most effective deterrents to burglary.
Get Professional Security Advice
Our residential locksmith team can visit your property after a break-in to assess vulnerabilities, recommend improvements, and carry out all necessary lock replacements and security upgrades.