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Home Security GuideWhat to Do After a Break-In: A Step-by-Step Guide for South London Homeowners
Written by Our Locksmith · Professional Locksmiths · South London · 8 min read
A break-in is a deeply unsettling experience — and knowing exactly what to do in the aftermath can make a significant difference to your safety, your insurance claim, and your home's security. As a South London locksmith with over 10 years of experience, we've helped hundreds of homeowners secure their properties after a burglary. This guide walks you through every step — from the moment you discover the break-in to upgrading your locks so it never happens again.
Whether the burglar damaged your door, smashed a window, or picked the lock, the advice is the same: stay calm, follow these steps in order, and call a 24-hour DBS checked locksmith to secure your home as quickly as possible. We offer a no call-out fee service with fixed prices across South London.
If your door has been kicked in or your lock is damaged, you may need emergency after break-in repairs — we can board up, repair, and relock within the hour across SE, SW, CR, SM and BR postcodes.
Step 1: Your Immediate Safety Comes First
Before anything else — do not re-enter your home if you think the burglar may still be inside. Call 999 from a neighbour's house or from the street. Wait for police confirmation that the property is clear before you go in.
If you've returned home and discovered signs of a break-in — a forced door, broken window, or displaced belongings — step back outside immediately. This instinct is correct. Burglars occasionally remain on the premises, especially if they're searching through upper floors or were disturbed mid-theft.
Once the all-clear is given, resist the urge to tidy or touch anything. Your priority in those first few minutes after a break-in in the UK is to keep yourself safe, then preserve the scene for police and your insurer.
Emergency tip
If your door has been left unsecured or damaged, call us immediately on 020 8050 2017 — we'll board up or relock the same day, even overnight.
Step 2: Call the Police Immediately After a Break-In
Once you're safe, call 999 if you believe the intruder is still nearby, or 101 (the non-emergency line) if it's clear the burglary already took place. The police will send officers to take a statement, look for evidence, and issue you a crime reference number.
That crime reference number is essential. Your home insurer will require it before processing any claim. Write it down or photograph the officer's documentation before they leave.
What to tell the police
- Which point of entry was used (front door, back window, garage)
- What appears to have been taken or disturbed
- The approximate time window you were away from home
- Any CCTV footage from your property or nearby cameras (Ring doorbells, etc.)
- Serial numbers of stolen electronics or valuables if you have them
The Metropolitan Police also allow you to report non-emergency burglaries online via the MPS Crime Reporting Tool if no officer attends. You'll still receive a crime reference number, which is what matters for insurance purposes.
Step 3: Document the Scene Before Touching Anything
Before you start tidying or moving anything, walk through each room and take photographs of all damage — broken glass, forced locks, displaced furniture, and anything that is clearly missing. This photographic record is your strongest evidence for both the police and your insurer.
Take photos of every damaged entry point in detail — the door lock cylinder, door frame, and any snapped mechanisms. If the burglar used a tool, don't disturb any marks left behind. SOCO (Scene of Crime Officers) may dust for fingerprints.
Make a written list of missing or damaged items
Go room by room and write down everything that is out of place, missing, or damaged — including approximate values where you know them. If you have receipts, photographs, or serial numbers stored online or in email, locate them now. Your insurer will request this list.
Don't guess or inflate — insurance claims must be accurate. If you're unsure whether something is gone or simply misplaced, mark it as "unconfirmed missing" until you've done a thorough search.
Step 4: Notify Your Home Insurer Within 24 Hours
Most home insurance policies require you to report a burglary within 24 to 48 hours. Check your policy documents for the exact timeframe — missing this window could invalidate your claim.
When you call your insurer, have the following ready:
- Your crime reference number from the police
- Your written list of stolen or damaged items with approximate values
- Photographs of all damage
- Any receipts or proof of ownership for high-value items
- Receipts for any emergency repairs you've already paid for (e.g. lock replacement, boarding up)
Will my insurance cover lock replacement?
Most buildings and contents insurance policies include cover for locks and security upgrades following a break-in. This often includes fitting BS3621 mortice deadlocks or anti-snap euro cylinders. Keep your locksmith invoice — your insurer will require it.
Some insurers have preferred contractor lists. You are not obliged to use their contractor — you can choose your own DBS checked locksmith and reclaim the cost, but confirm this with your insurer first to avoid any dispute.
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DBS checked, City & Guilds Level 3. Fixed prices, no surprises. We can secure your home the same day — even if your door has been kicked in.
Step 5: Call a Locksmith to Secure Your Home the Same Day
This is urgent. If your door has been forced, your lock damaged, or your keys stolen, your home is unsecured right now. Do not leave it overnight. Call a 24-hour emergency locksmith to come out immediately and make your property secure.
At Locksmith South London, we handle break-in repairs across SE, SW, CR, SM and BR postcodes every day. We can replace a damaged lock, fit a temporary board if the door frame is broken, install a new cylinder, and advise on what security upgrades would prevent a repeat burglary.
What a locksmith does after a break-in
- Assess all entry points for damage and compromise
- Replace broken or snapped euro cylinders with anti-snap TS007 3-star alternatives
- Repair or reinforce a damaged door frame (common in kick-in attacks)
- Install or upgrade to a BS3621 deadlock if not already fitted
- Provide a detailed invoice suitable for your insurance claim
We carry all common cylinder sizes and lock types on the van — in most cases we can complete the work in a single visit. Our after break-in repair service is available around the clock, 7 days a week.
Step 6: Upgrade Your Security to Prevent a Repeat Break-In
Burglars frequently return to the same property — especially if they were disturbed, or if they observed the home being re-secured with low-quality locks. The period immediately after a break-in is the most important time to harden your home's security.
Priority security upgrades after a break-in
Anti-Snap Cylinders
TS007 3-star rated cylinders resist the most common attack method. Required by many UK home insurers.
BS3621 Deadlock
The British Standard for mortice deadlocks. Mandatory for most buildings insurance — and far stronger than a nightlatch alone.
Door Frame Reinforcement
A kick-in attack breaks the frame, not the lock. Steel door frames and hinge bolts make a huge difference.
Smart Doorbell / CCTV
Visible cameras are a strong deterrent and provide footage for police if needed. Ring, Nest, and Arlo are popular choices.
Our team will carry out a free security assessment when we attend the property. We'll tell you honestly what's needed — and what isn't. See our full range of anti-snap lock upgrades and lock change services in South London.
What NOT to Do After a Break-In
Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to do. These are the most common mistakes that complicate insurance claims and compromise investigations.
Don't clean up before the police arrive
This destroys forensic evidence — fingerprints, footprints, tool marks. Wait until SOCO have finished.
Don't leave the property unsecured overnight
A compromised door invites a return visit. Call a 24-hour locksmith the same day — not the following morning.
Don't delay notifying your insurer
Most policies have a strict reporting window. Missing it could invalidate your claim entirely.
Don't replace the lock with a cheap like-for-like
A standard euro cylinder is the most commonly attacked lock in the UK. Upgrade to an anti-snap TS007 3-star cylinder — the cost difference is minimal and the protection is significant.
Don't share on social media until your home is secure
Broadcasting that you've had a break-in before your locks are changed signals that your home may still be vulnerable.
Frequently Asked Questions About What to Do After a Break-In
What is the first thing you should do after a break-in?
Should I clean up after a break-in before the police arrive?
How do I claim on home insurance after a break-in in the UK?
How quickly can a locksmith change my locks after a break-in?
What locks should I upgrade to after a break-in?
Still have a question?
Our DBS checked locksmiths are available 24/7 across South London.
Our Locksmith
Professional Locksmiths · South London
Our team of qualified locksmiths has been serving South London for over 10 years, specialising in residential security, emergency lock changes, and post-break-in repairs. DBS checked and fully insured, we've helped hundreds of South London homeowners secure their properties across SE, SW, CR, SM and BR postcodes.
Need Emergency Lock Repairs After a Break-In?
We're available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No call-out fee. DBS checked, City & Guilds certified. South London's most trusted locksmith.
24/7 emergency locksmith serving South London since 2015 — trusted by homeowners, landlords and businesses across Sutton, Mitcham, Wallington, Cheam, Purley and surrounding areas.