About us 

Safer Homes

The Safer Homes campaign aims to raise awareness among householders about what you can do to prevent and reduce burglary.

• View our 'Look, Lights, Lock' webpage or visit our home security advice section to learn about important home security tips.
• There is also advice on this website about how to protect your home from distraction burglary.
• The Home Office has crime prevention advice available on its website, including its top ten tips on making your house safe (opens new window).

About burglary

Burglary happens when a person enters a building or part of a building – for example, your home - without permission and proceeds to steal property from within. It is different to robbery.

Fortunately, burglaries involving serious assaults are rare – most burglars are simply opportunist thieves, not sophisticated experts. They could turn to car crime or street robbery if they find it easier to do so. Therefore, the arrest and conviction of a burglar could mean that a potential car thief or robber has been taken off our streets.

Most burglary is committed by young males under the age of 21. Many burglars are persistent offenders who are likely to be stealing to pay for their drug addiction.

How to report burglary

Please report the crime as soon as possible after it has happened. This increases the chances of police identifying and arresting the offender because we can find forensic evidence at the crime scene.

Try not to touch anything that you think the offender may have touched.

• In an emergency, or if a crime is in progress, call 999. It is an emergency when: a crime is being committed, there is a risk of injury, or a risk of serious damage to property.
• To report a burglary that has already taken place, call 101, the 24-hour Thames Valley Police non-emergency number.
• If you don’t want to speak to police or give your name, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

View other ways to report a crime.