After a break-in, your emotions may run high, but a calm and informed response can turn a traumatic experience into a situation you’re equipped to handle with confidence. Photo: 123rf.com
There's nothing quite as unsettling as the aftermath of a house break-in. The violation of your personal sanctuary, the destruction and loss can be overwhelming. You may feel as if your home, once a place of comfort and safety, has been irreparably tainted. The shock, anger, and confusion that follow can cloud your judgment, making it difficult to navigate the next critical steps.
However, it’s in these moments that your response matters most.
Understanding what to do in the immediate aftermath isn’t just about dealing with the practicalities of a crime; it’s also about taking control of the situation, both for your peace of mind and to help the authorities in their investigation.
While emotions may run high, a calm and informed response can turn a traumatic experience into a situation you’re equipped to handle with confidence.
The police have always advised people to save the contact numbers of the police station nearest to their home on their handphones or display them on a noticeboard. PDRM’s Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP) app is another tool to help people report incidents quickly and accurately. To be more effective, people can upload photos and enter the “location” of the incident.
Coming home to discover signs of a break-in is indeed a distressing scenario. You might notice something as glaring as a broken window, or it might be something subtler like a door slightly ajar or items out of place.
Regardless of the signs, the first emotion you might feel is a deep sense of violation, swiftly followed by a surge of fear and uncertainty. Yet, it’s crucial to not let these emotions guide your actions.
In such situations, your personal safety should be your topmost priority. As much as you might want to rush inside, take stock of the damage, and perhaps salvage what’s left, resist the urge.
Entering your home at this juncture could be risky, as the intruders might still be lurking inside. They could be hiding, waiting for an opportunity to escape, or even ready to confront any interference.
A confrontation with a panicked or desperate burglar could potentially put you in harm’s way.
Instead of stepping into an uncertain situation, it’s safer to retreat to a secure distance. This could be a neighbour’s house, your car, or even a nearby public space. From this safe vantage point, your immediate course of action should be to alert the authorities.
Contact the nearest police station. If you don’t have the number, you can call 999 and provide them with your exact address. Calmly and clearly, explain the situation, highlighting the signs of a break-in that you’ve observed. Your detailed and prompt report not only ensures a swift response but could also be pivotal in catching the culprits.
The officers will likely ask you several questions to assess the urgency and nature of the break-in. You may be asked to describe specific signs of the break-in, such as broken windows, forced doors, or any unusual sounds you might have heard. They might also inquire about whether anyone is in the house, if any vehicles are missing, or if you noticed any suspicious individuals or activities in the vicinity.
Giving this information as precisely as possible will assist the police in determining the most appropriate course of action. For example, if there’s evidence to suggest the intruders may still be on the premises, the officers may send a unit to the scene immediately to secure the area and conduct a search.
They may also advise you to stay on the line and keep them updated on any changes or new observations, ensuring your continued safety while they respond.
Also, the officers might instruct you on what to do (or not to do) while waiting for them to arrive. They may ask you to stay away from the property, avoid touching anything, or even watch from a distance to report any suspicious activities.
These instructions are aimed at ensuring your safety as well as preserving the scene of the crime, so that any potential evidence remains undisturbed.
When the police arrive, they will likely begin by ensuring your safety and verifying the information you provided over the phone. They will most likely ask you for your identification card to record your details. If you are not the legal owner of the property, they will need your help to contact the owner to complete the police report.
While one officer verifies the information with you, the other officer(s) will conduct a thorough examination of the property to assess the situation, looking for signs of forced entry or any clues that might help identify the perpetrators. You may be asked to walk them through the home, pointing out anything unusual or out of place. They’ll want to know what, if anything, appears to have been stolen or damaged.
During this time, the officers will likely take photographs and collect evidence that might help in their investigation. It’s crucial to allow them to work unobstructed, resisting the urge to clean up or touch anything until they have completed their initial examination.
The police will also take an official statement from you, documenting all the details of the incident. This includes the time you discovered the break-in, any suspicious activities or people you might have noticed. They may ask you to go through your valuables and take a thorough look around to identify missing or damaged items.
Throughout this process, it is normal to feel overwhelmed or anxious. The police are trained and they will guide you through the process, answering any questions you may have.
If your home is equipped with CCTV (closed-circuit television) cameras, the footage may become a vital piece of evidence in the investigation. Police will likely request access to any recorded video that might have captured the incident or suspicious activity leading up to the break-in.
This footage can provide visual confirmation of the perpetrators, their methods, and even potentially linked vehicles or accomplices.
It’s crucial to preserve this evidence, so avoid tampering with or attempting to review the footage yourself. Officers trained in video analysis will know what to look for and will handle the footage with the care required to maintain its admissibility in court.
If your CCTV system is connected to a professional monitoring service, they may also collaborate with law enforcement to ensure that the most relevant footage is secured and properly analysed.
Although it may be tempting to share your CCTV footage on social media or with friends in an effort to quickly identify the perpetrators, it’s advisable to refrain from doing so.
Distributing the footage could compromise the integrity of the ongoing police investigation, alert the suspects, or even unintentionally violate privacy laws. Always consult with law enforcement about the appropriate use of your CCTV recordings. They will guide you on how to handle this sensitive material properly to ensure it aids rather than hinders the investigative process.
If you don’t have a CCTV system in your home, it doesn’t mean you’re without means to aid the investigation. Be prepared to provide the police with a detailed description of what you found upon discovering the break-in, including any unusual signs, damages, or missing items.
Neighbours or nearby businesses may have security cameras that inadvertently captured relevant footage. Reaching out to neighbours can be a crucial step in gathering evidence. Approach them calmly and explain the situation, asking if they have any recordings that might have captured suspicious activity or if they noticed or heard anything unusual during the time of the break-in. Provide a specific time frame for them to check their recordings, if applicable, and be respectful of their privacy.
Encourage them to contact the police directly with their information or offer to pass it along yourself. In the absence of video evidence, your cooperation, careful recollection of events, and supportive community network become invaluable resources in the investigation, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and trust that can make a significant difference in crime prevention and resolution in the long run.
Post-incident, your focus should shift to starting the recovery process.
Once the police have thoroughly checked your property and collected the necessary evidence, it’s time to document the aftermath. Photographs or videos capturing the signs of forced entry and damage to your property can serve a dual purpose. They not only provide additional evidence for the police investigation but also form the basis of your claims report to your insurance company.
Contact your insurance provider and furnish them with all the necessary documentation – the police report, your personal record of the incident, and a detailed list of stolen items and the damages.
This will expedite your claim process and aid you in restoring your home and replacing lost items.
In the days after the incident, it’s crucial to engage your community, and this means more than just speaking with immediate neighbours. Keeping your neighbours informed about the break-in not only fosters a sense of solidarity but also helps to raise awareness and enhance collective security. Getting to know the people who live in our neighbourhood is also helpful so that you can quickly identify strangers in your area.
Consider notifying your neighbourhood watch group, if you have one, or the management or residents’ association, as they can help disseminate the information to a wider audience. Share details of the incident without causing unnecessary alarm, focusing on preventive measures that can be taken. Their heightened vigilance, as a result, could prevent similar incidents in the future, creating a safer neighbourhood.
Encourage them to report any suspicious activities or individuals, and consider organising or participating in community safety initiatives, such as neighbourhood patrols or educational sessions on home security.
These collaborative efforts emphasise a shared commitment to safety and can lead to a more proactive and united community, ready to support one another and deter potential criminals.
Assoc Prof Dr Cheah Phaik Kin lectures in social sciences at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR). She has served in the Royal Malaysia Police Volunteer Reserve since 2014.
