1. Stay safe and report it

• Wait somewhere safe—a neighbour’s home, locked vehicle or public place—if you are unsure whether the property is clear.
• Tell police about injuries, threats, weapons, suspicious people or vehicles, and whether children or vulnerable people are involved.
• For a non-emergency, use your local police force’s online reporting service or call 101.
• Write down your crime reference number and the officer or team’s contact details; your insurer is likely to ask for them.

2. Protect possible evidence

• Keep people and pets away from affected rooms and entry points.
• If weather threatens a footprint or item outside, ask police what to do. If something must be protected or moved, use clean gloves or a clean plastic bag over your hand, handle edges, and note its original position.
• Photograph visible damage and the wider scene only when it is safe and police have not asked you to wait.
• Do not post images, suspect descriptions or video publicly while an investigation is active.

3. Save camera and doorbell footage

• Download the original clips from cameras, doorbells, alarms and vehicle cameras before cloud retention expires.
• Save footage from before, during and after the event; include timestamps and nearby approaches, not only the moment of entry.
• Keep an untouched original and a separate working copy. Record the device, time zone and any clock error you notice.
• Ask neighbours to preserve relevant footage, but let police coordinate public sharing.

4. Limit further loss

5. Contact your insurer before permanent repairs

• Notify your home or contents insurer promptly and follow its claims process.
• Ask what emergency work is authorised and whether it has an approved repair network.
• Keep damaged items unless the insurer or police says they can be disposed of.
• Make an inventory with descriptions, serial numbers, receipts, photos and approximate purchase dates. Save every invoice and repair receipt.

If a door or window cannot be secured, prioritise safety and weatherproofing—but photograph the damage and preserve removed parts where practical.

6. Make tonight safer

• After police and insurer guidance, repair the entry point and replace compromised locks.
• Reset alarm, camera, router and smart-home passwords if devices or written credentials were taken.
• Check that cameras are recording, times are correct, notifications work and cloud plans are active.
• Use lights, a trusted neighbour and temporary door or window security while permanent work is arranged.

7. Look after the people, not just the property

Shock, anger, poor sleep and feeling unsafe at home are common after burglary. There is no “correct” reaction. In England and Wales, Victim Support offers free, confidential help independently of the police, including a 24/7 Supportline on 08 08 16 89 111. You do not have to manage the aftermath alone.

Your next security review

When the immediate situation is stable, review the route used to enter—not just the product that failed. Start with exposure, sight lines, lighting, locks, alarm coverage, notification settings and who can access each account.