Burglary is traumatic. This updated 2026 guide covers everything to do after your London home is broken into — safety, police, insurance, securing your property, and digital security.
What to Do After a Burglary in London: Step-by-Step (2026)
Discovering your home has been broken into is one of the most distressing experiences a homeowner faces. Acting in the right order protects your safety, preserves evidence, supports your insurance claim, and prevents a repeat attack. This guide reflects current Metropolitan Police procedures and insurer expectations as of 2026.
Step 1: Do Not Enter the Property
If you arrive home and suspect a burglar may still be inside, do not enter under any circumstances. Call 999 immediately and wait at a safe distance until police confirm the property is clear. A scared or cornered burglar is dangerous.
Step 2: Call the Police — Then Get Your Crime Reference Number
Emergency (burglar still present or you feel at risk): Call 999
Non-emergency (burglar has left): Call 101 or report via the Metropolitan Police website (met.police.uk). You can also report online for lower-risk burglaries.
Your crime reference number is essential — you cannot make an insurance claim without it. Write it down immediately.
In 2026, the Met Police also accepts doorbell footage (Ring, Nest, Arlo) as primary evidence. Download and preserve any video before the device loses power or the footage overwrites.
Step 3: Do Not Touch or Move Anything
Preserve the scene exactly as you found it until police attend. Fingerprint and DNA evidence can be destroyed simply by touching surfaces. Take wide-angle photos from outside if possible — document every point of entry and every room disturbed.
Step 4: Secure Your Property Immediately
Call an emergency locksmith straight away. Do not sleep in an unsecured property. Our burglary repair service operates 24/7 with a target attendance of under 2 hours anywhere in London.
We will arrive and: - Board or temporarily secure any smashed entry point - Replace damaged or compromised door frames, handles, and cylinders - Fit high-security replacement locks — we always recommend anti-snap cylinders after a snapping attack - Advise on weak points identified during the repair - Provide a written report for your insurance claim if required
If the UPVC door mechanism was damaged during the break-in, you may also need UPVC door repair or a full lock replacement.
Step 5: Secure Your Digital Accounts and Smart Devices
This step is new and important in 2026. If burglars were inside your home, consider:
- •Smart home hubs (Amazon Echo, Google Home): Factory reset these — a burglar may have spoken wake words to obtain information
- •Wi-Fi router: Change your Wi-Fi password immediately — if your router's admin label was visible, your network may be compromised
- •Keyless entry codes: Change any smart lock PINs or access codes immediately, and revoke any temporary access codes
- •CCTV footage: Back up footage to cloud storage before power to cameras is lost
- •Laptop/work devices stolen? Contact your employer's IT department — corporate data breach protocols apply
Step 6: Contact Your Insurer
Call your buildings and contents insurer as soon as possible — most policies require you to report within 24–48 hours. Have ready: - Your crime reference number - A full list of stolen or damaged items with approximate values - Photographs of all damage - Any receipts or proof of ownership for high-value items
Most buildings insurance covers: lock replacement, door and window repairs, structural damage. Most contents insurance covers: theft of valuables, electronics, jewellery, and personal items.
See our locksmith pricing guide so you know the correct costs to submit for the lock and door work.
Step 7: Notify Neighbours and Consider Your Surroundings
Inform neighbours — burglars frequently return to properties they've successfully targeted, or work the same street in pairs. Ask neighbours whether they have doorbell or CCTV footage of unfamiliar vehicles.
Register the break-in with your local Neighbourhood Watch scheme (findable via the Metropolitan Police website) to alert the wider area.
Step 8: Prevent a Repeat Break-In
After any burglary, a full security assessment is essential. Our 24/7 residential locksmith service can assess your entire property — front door, back door, garage, windows, and perimeter — and recommend targeted, cost-effective improvements.
See: 17 Home Security Tips for London Homes in 2026
Burglary repair across London: Walthamstow · Stratford · Barking · Tottenham · Ilford · East Ham · Edmonton · Dagenham · Balham · Islington