How to report a break-in to the police

Original publish date: 12th January 2025

Your property being broken into can be such a frightening experience and can lead to not only long-lasting feelings of stress and worry, but it could also make you feel unsafe in your own home. It can feel even more so if you’re at home during a break-in. 

And what’s worse, a 2023 Neighbourhood Watch survey found that 46% of of respondents didn’t report a crime they witnessed, with 5% of those saything that they were too afraid to report it to the police.

Whilst putting ample security measures in place to protect yourself and your home can help prevent this from happening, or in the unfortunate event you’re reading this post-break-in, can help make you feel more secure in the future, you may not know what to do if it does happen. 

Keep reading as we discuss what a break-in is, how to report the crime to the police and what support is available to help you get through this awful experience. 

What is a break-in?

A break-in is when an intruder enters the property, either by force (such as breaking your door or window to gain access), or enters an unsecured property without consent. The most common types of break-ins are usually robberies and burglaries.

Break-ins of any description are a crime, and should be reported to the police, as no one has the right to enter a property without consent - and you should never feel unsafe in your own home.

How at-risk is your home to a break-in?

Any home is at risk of being broken into; regardless of whether you live in a lovely neighbourhood or how good your home security system is. Some properties may be more likely to be broken into, as they have easier access, such as ground floor flats and bungalows, homes in low-traffic areas and unoccupied properties. 

How to prevent someone breaking into your home

Home security systems

Home security systems are one of your best lines of defence against intruders and potential break-ins. 

With outdoor CCTV cameras and video doorbell cameras, you can be alerted to unwanted visitors approaching your property, and can be sounded if they try to gain access with alarms triggered by motion sensors, entry sensors and glassbreak sensors - covering all areas of entry. However, these systems in the viewpoint of any potential intruders may also deter burglars from entering your home, as no criminal fancies getting caught. 

Indoor security cameras can also be handy to keep a close eye on anyone inside your home.. Your home can also be fitted with a panic button, should you feel the need to either alert the intruder of your presence, or silently to the authorities with connection to professional monitoring.  

Professional monitoring

Professional security monitoring is more secure than self-monitoring, as it provides your home with 24/7 protection against break-ins. When an alarm is triggered, the monitoring agents are alerted to check your camera recordings. They will then notify the police and contact you directly to let you know what is happening. Another feature of SimpliSafe’s premium plan is guard response, where the security team will send a dedicated security guard to your home to check for evidence of a break-in. 

Neighbourhood Watch programmes 

Local Neighbourhood Watch programmes bring neighbours together, in liaison with local authorities such as the police, to take action to help reduce crime. Neighbours can work together to support each other and report crime, whilst also finding ways to reduce crime in their area. Areas with Neighbourhood Watch programmes will often have signage around, warning criminals of their presence and connection to the police - most usefully used as a crime deterrent.

Joining a local Neighbourhood Watch programme can connect you with your neighbours, knowing other residents are keeping an eye on your home and will support you in helping make both your home and local area safer. 

Steps to take immediately after a break-in

If your home has been broken into, you need to know exactly what to do. Whilst you may be feeling a lot of worry and panic, you need to make sure to follow the correct steps in order to remain safe and help the police catch the criminals who did this.

1. Ensure personal safety 

The first step is to ensure your personal safety. 

If you believe the break-in is still taking place, lock yourself and your family into a room and immediately call 999. 

If the break-in has already happened and you’ve walked into what is now a crime scene, make sure that you have someone with you and be careful not to walk on any broken glass or injure yourself in any way. Keep children and pets away from the scene. 

2. Secure the premises

The second step is to secure the premises. Make sure you don’t have people walking in and out of your home, and nobody is touching anything - as everything in the home could be potential evidence. Securing the premises could also mean getting access to the video or alarm data from your home security system, if you already have one. 

3. Contact the police

If you haven’t already, step 3 is to contact the police. 

Call the police emergency number 999 if you believe that you are in danger or if the break-in is still taking place. If not, you are suggested to call the police non-emergency line 101 - though you will still get through to an operator quickly.

Other ways you can contact the police are online and by visiting your local police station in-person to report the crime.

You may feel very scared and shaken up by this experience, but it is very important to contact the police. It is their job to protect you and your community, and helping them catch the criminal is the best way to do this. 

Information to provide to the police

When calling the police, you need to provide them with a list of essential information relating to the crime. This includes your name, address, the time of when the intruders broke into your home and when they left, and a description of the suspects. 

Don’t worry if you don’t have all this information, but the more the police know, the better it is. Just be sure to provide as much accurate and detailed information as you can, and to contact the police if you find or remember any information later on. 

What to expect after reporting a break-in to the police 

After reporting the crime to the police, you should be visited by a dedicated team of CID officers and crime scene investigators, who will assess the property and hope to gain further information from you and your neighbours. They should then provide you with a crime reference number, if they haven’t done so already, and update you on their investigation and any follow-up actions. 

With your crime reference number, you should contact your home insurance provider and update them on the situation. They may be able to help you secure your home if any entryways were broken during the crime, along with help you claim any possessions if they were stolen.

Support services for victims

If you have been a victim of a break-in, it is important to look after your mental health during these worrying times. There is a dedicated victim support team that the police can get you in touch with, or you can do so independently - online or by calling 0808 1689 111. You may also benefit from talking about the experience with your GP or The Samaritans, if you are struggling with how you feel. 

For more advice on how to keep your home secure from break-ins, have a chat with our team of professionals today. Create a system that’s tailored to your needs, and ensure that both you and your family are protected at all times with SimpliSafe home security.