How to Secure Your House After a Burglary
Immediate steps, what to tell the police, and how to make the property properly secure — written for the same day it happens.
The first few hours after a break-in are disorienting. Here's a clear order of what to do, without assuming you're thinking straight.
Right now
- Don't enter if you're unsure — call the police from outside first
- Get a crime reference number before doing anything else
- Call a locksmith to make the property secure the same night
- Change any locks that were compromised, and any lock where keys may have been taken
- Document everything for the insurance claim
Step 1 — Don't go in yet
If you arrive home and notice signs of a break-in — door ajar, window smashed, things visibly disturbed — don't assume the intruder has left. Call 999 from outside the property. Let the police clear the property before you enter.
This isn't an overreaction. It happens rarely, but walking in on a burglary in progress is a situation you don't want to create by being impatient.
Step 2 — Get the crime reference number
Call 999 if the break-in is in progress or very recent. Call 101 (non-emergency police) if it was clearly some time ago and the property is obviously empty. You need a crime reference number for the insurance claim. Get this before you start cleaning up, before you move anything, and before you call anyone else.
Police may want to fingerprint surfaces or collect evidence. Don't wipe things down until they've been, or until they've confirmed they're not attending.
Step 3 — Make the property secure tonight
This is where the locksmith comes in. The priorities are:
- Close the entry point — if the door was forced and the frame is split, it may not close properly. A locksmith can fit a temporary brace, adjust the frame, or in some cases make a good enough fix for overnight security.
- Replace compromised locks — a drilled or forced lock is no longer secure. The cylinder needs to go.
- Board broken windows — a locksmith may not do this directly, but can advise on temporary measures while glaziers are arranged.
For Barnet and North London: call 020 3780 8827 — we attend immediately, 24 hours.
Step 4 — Change the locks properly
Once the immediate emergency is handled, the follow-up is making the property properly secure. This means:
- Replace any forced or drilled lock with a new one — ideally an upgrade to British Standard while you're at it. A break-in is the right moment to fit the lock you should have had anyway.
- Replace any cylinder that keys were taken from — if the intruder took keys, they can re-enter any time. This is urgent.
- Check other entry points — if they came in through a back window, the front door lock may be fine. But check everything.
Step 5 — The insurance claim
Keep:
- Photographs of all damage before any repairs (critical)
- Receipts for any emergency locksmith call-out
- A list of anything taken (serial numbers where you have them)
- The crime reference number
Most home contents policies cover burglary. Many also cover emergency locksmith costs and emergency glazing as part of the claim. Call your insurer the same day you call the police — they often have their own emergency services line.
What to do about upgrading security
A burglary is unpleasant. It is also, in a cold-blooded sense, useful information: you now know which entry point was used and whether the existing security measures failed. Use this.
The high security lock installation page covers BS 3621 and anti-snap options. The uPVC door repair page covers mechanism replacement. The prices page has all costs upfront.
Sign-off
If you're dealing with a break-in in Barnet or North London right now, call 020 3780 8827. The call-out is available 24 hours and the first priority is making the property secure before anything else.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first after discovering a break-in?
Don't enter if you're not sure the intruder has left. Call the police from outside. Once the police have attended and cleared the property, then start thinking about securing it. Don't clean up before the police have taken evidence.
Can a locksmith come out the same night after a break-in?
Yes — Emergency Locksmith Barnet is open 24 hours. Call 020 3780 8827. The priority is making the property secure before anything else, even if full repairs have to wait.
Do I have to change the locks after a break-in?
If the intruder used the door lock (either picking it or forcing it), yes. If they came through a window, the locks may be undamaged — but it's still worth checking the cylinder for damage. If keys were taken in the burglary, change the locks regardless.
How do I board up a broken door or window temporarily?
For a door that won't close: a locksmith can often fit a temporary brace or replace the lock in the damaged frame to make it closeable. For a broken window: heavy cardboard or plywood fixed inside the frame is acceptable overnight. Get it properly repaired the next day.
Will my insurance pay for the locksmith after a break-in?
Often yes — many home insurance policies cover emergency locksmith costs after a break-in as part of the claim. Keep the receipt, take photographs of the damage before and after repair, and include the locksmith costs with your claim.
Locked out? Need a locksmith now?
Call now and speak to John directly — no call centre, no script. You'll know the price before he's on his way.