Burglary: what to do in the first hour

Stay safe first. The rest can be sorted.

The answer in 2 lines. If the door has been forced and the burglar may still be inside, do not go in: stay outside or at a neighbour's and call 999. If they have gone, you can report it on 101 or online to your local police force. Touch as little as possible: the police may look for fingerprints and other evidence. Then: block stolen bank cards with your bank, note your crime reference number, tell your home insurer as soon as you can, and get the door or window made secure.

The first 3 steps

Burglar may still be there, or someone is in danger: call 999. Otherwise call 101 or report online to your local police force.
Call your bank straight away to block stolen cards (use the number on your bank's website or app).
Take photos of the damage without moving anything.

Stop: danger

Do not go in alone if you think the burglar may still be inside. Do not confront them.
Do not touch where the burglar has been (door, window, drawers) before the police say so.

The first minutes

If the door or a window has been forced, do not go in. Stay outside or with a neighbour.
Once the police have been, or say you can go in, try not to touch, clean or tidy where the burglar has been: police may come back for forensic evidence (fingerprints, footprints, DNA).
Keep pets away from the areas involved.
Note what time you discovered the burglary and what you have seen.

Reporting to the police

999: crime in progress, burglar nearby, someone in danger.
101 or online with your local police force: when it is not an emergency. Police.uk links to every force.
You will get a crime reference number. Keep it: your insurer and your bank will ask for it.
Found more things missing later? Tell the police and quote your reference number.

Bank cards, phone, insurance

Block cards and online banking straight away with your bank. Watch your statements for the next few weeks.
Phone stolen: call your network to block the SIM, and report the handset as stolen.
Tell your home insurer as soon as you can. Make a list of what is missing or damaged, with receipts, photos, boxes or bank statements.

Repair and secure the door

Call your insurer first: some policies include emergency home assistance with a locksmith or glazier.
Otherwise, ask for the total price, call-out fee included, before any work, and keep the invoice for your insurer. See our guide on locksmith rip-offs.
If you rent, tell your landlord: securing the door and locks is usually their responsibility.

What not to do

Tidying up before the police have been.
Waiting to block your cards.
Posting on social media that you are away from home: it tells burglars your home is empty.

Good to know

Ask the police about free, confidential support for victims of crime: they can refer you.
Many police forces give free crime prevention advice for your home: check your local force's website.
In Scotland, contact Police Scotland on 101; in Northern Ireland, the PSNI on 101. 999 works everywhere.

Coming home in Manchester, Jade finds her back door forced. She steps back into the street and calls 999. The police check the house and ask her not to touch the back door or the bedroom drawers. She blocks her stolen card in her banking app, writes down the crime reference number and calls her insurer the same evening.

A made-up story, for illustration.

Bobby

Sources, verification, confidence

Verified on 18 October 2026, for England. Confidence: high for 999/101, preserving evidence and the crime reference number. National burglary figures are not quoted here. This guide describes common cases, not a diagnosis.