Having your personal belongings stolen from your property can be a devastating experience. Not only is it disheartening to have something taken away from you, but it can also leave you feeling unsafe and vulnerable in your own home. Everyone needs to take steps to keep their possessions safe and secure to prevent theft from occurring in the first place.
Statistics show that home security is a growing concern among homeowners. In 2018, there were 7.2 million reported property theft in the United States alone—an average of one burglary every 18 seconds! The financial losses from these burglaries amounted to over 3.4 billion dollars that year, with an average property loss of $2,799 per incident.
Unfortunately, you and your home might become a victim of a burglary. Of course, your safety will always be the top priority, making it critical to avoid interfering with armed thieves breaking into your home. People must permanently hide and call the police first when they are not in physical danger. Once the burglary attempt is made and you are in a safe space, it is time to take action. Here are a few steps that you can take to handle having something stolen from your property.
Assess the Damaged and Stolen Items
The first step is to assess the damaged and stolen items. It is essential to thoroughly document what has been taken or broken while being mindful of any safety concerns, including broken glass, debris, or open doors and windows on your property. Make sure you take pictures of any damages and make an itemized list of all stolen items with descriptions such as brand name, serial numbers (if applicable), color, size, etc.
Listing down all the stolen items may help you remember what was taken and provide the police with evidence of your loss. Moreover, it will help you with insurance claims. Most insurance policies cover theft and burglary, so your stolen items may be covered if you have a home insurance policy.
The amount you receive will depend on your policy and the value of your belongings. Please get in touch with an independent home insurance agent for more information about your coverage options.
Gather Evidence
The next step is to gather evidence. This can be done by looking for any video footage of the incident, such as CCTV or security cameras. Most homeowners have doorbell and driveway cameras that record when a suspicious person approaches their property.
If you do not have any video evidence, you should contact your neighbors if they saw or heard anything associated with the burglary. Ask them if they noticed anyone unfamiliar in the area around the time of the robbery—they may even know who committed it!
It is also worth noting that some burglars will use gloves, masks, and other methods to hide their identity from being captured on camera. Those items will make it challenging to identify the culprit.
Contact the Police and File a Report
Once you have documented all the stolen items and gathered evidence, it is time to contact the police and file a report. You should provide them with your list of stolen items and any surveillance footage captured. The police will need this information to open an investigation and track down the suspects responsible for the burglary.
Additionally, filing a police report can be beneficial if you plan to make an insurance claim in the future—the police report will prove that there was indeed a robbery at your property.
It is essential to stay up-to-date on any progress made by law enforcement regarding your case. You may even be asked to attend court proceedings if the suspects are caught. Unfortunately, they might be going into hiding or refusing to show up, making it necessary to get professional court bailiff services to track them down.
Prevent Future Burglaries
Finally, once your stolen items have been assessed and the police are involved, you should take steps to prevent future burglaries from occurring. This includes investing in the following home resources:
Home Security System
The home security system is the best way to protect your property from intruders. You can install a wired or wireless system depending on your budget and needs.
Reinforced Entry Points
Installing metal bars and grates on windows and doors can make it difficult for burglars to enter your home. It is also a good idea to replace locks with higher-grade ones, such as deadbolts, which are harder to pick or break.
Motion Sensors
Motion sensors are an effective way of monitoring your property when you’re not home. These devices detect any movement within range and sound an alarm if any suspicious activity is detected—giving you the extra security needed to protect your assets.
High-Value Item Locked Storage
Finally, it would be best to consider investing in locked storage or safes for high-value items like jewelry and electronics. This will ensure they are not easily accessible to burglars during a break-in.
Final Thoughts
Taking these steps will help prevent future burglaries on your property. It may not be possible to keep all of your possessions safe from theft, but there are measures you can take to protect yourself and your belongings. If something has been stolen from your property, remember that you can take action and get justice. You do not have to suffer in silence; reach out for help today!
