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After a break-in: what police say to do first

General information from police pages. In an emergency call Triple Zero (000). Your own state or territory police page, listed at the foot of this page, has the final word.

Drawing of a door edge with its bolt at the third of six positions

If a break-in is happening now, the person responsible is still there, or anyone is injured or in immediate danger, Victoria Police says to call Triple Zero (000). Police in Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia all say not to confront the person. Once you are safe and it is over, the Victorian and WA pages say to report it, leave things as they are and call your insurer.

If it is happening now

Victoria Police

Call Triple Zero (000) if the break-in is happening now, if the person responsible is still at the scene, or if anyone is injured or in immediate danger. Don’t confront the thief: get out, or find a safe place.

Tasmania Police

For any life-threatening emergency, if you are in danger, if someone is injured, or if a crime is happening right now, call 000 (Triple Zero). Its page then sets out, in this order:

  1. If you hear or see an intruder in your home, don’t confront them, and put your own safety first.
  2. If you can leave without any immediate risk of coming face to face with them, get out of the house as quickly as you can and call police on 000.
  3. If you are outside and see signs that someone is inside, don’t go in. Go to a neighbour’s house or another safe place nearby, call police, and wait there until they arrive.
  4. Try to note what the intruders look like, any suspicious vehicles including their number plates, and as much detail about what is happening as you can.

WA Police Force

Call Triple Zero (000) for life-threatening situations, for emergencies, to report a crime in progress, or when you need police to attend straight away. Don’t confront the thief: get out, or find a safe place.

Once you are safe

  1. Report it

    Victoria Police says to report a break-in to police as soon as you can. If you come home to find it has already happened, it treats that as a non-urgent report: you can make it through its online reporting service or by phone, and you can also report anonymously to Crime Stoppers. In Tasmania, the police page points to an online crime reporting portal for theft or property damage, at tas.gov.au/reportonline.

    Police lines for when it is not an emergency, as each force’s page labels them. For an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
    WhereNumber, as the page labels it
    VictoriaPolice Assistance Line, 131 444, for a non-urgent report of a past break-in or theft
    TasmaniaPolice Assistance Line, 131 444, for non-emergency police assistance, available 24 hours a day
    Western Australia131 444, when police attendance is required
    Northern Territory131 444, for police assistance

  2. Leave things as they are

    Victoria Police says not to touch or move anything, and the WA Police Force says the same: don’t touch anything. Neither page explains why. The WA leaflet lists it straight after getting yourself safe; Victoria Police lists it straight after reporting the break-in.

  3. Write down what you saw

    The WA Police Force’s burglary leaflet includes a page for taking note of details to help police, starting with the date and time. It asks you to describe anyone you saw, from their face, age and clothing to tattoos or anything they were carrying, and any vehicle: what kind it was, how many people were in it, its colour, make and model, and any marks or fittings, such as a tow bar or roof racks, that set it apart.

    Tasmania Police asks for the same kind of detail, including number plates.

  4. Call your insurer

    Victoria Police and the WA Police Force both put calling your insurance company on their short list of what to do after a break-in. A record of what you own, made before anything happens, helps here and helps police: the guide to protecting property records sets out what police pages suggest you keep.

  5. Look after yourself

    Victoria Police recognises that a burglary can be distressing and can shake your sense of safety, and says support services offer information, practical help and emotional support. It points to your local police station and to the Victims of Crime Helpline for that support and for referrals. In Victoria, its page also says the Financial Assistance Scheme may be able to help with counselling, medical expenses and lost earnings if a burglary has affected you.

  6. Expect the weeks after to matter

    Tasmania Police warns that once a home has been burgled, there is a real chance of another burglary within a short time. It gives three usual reasons: the burglars know valuable things were left behind and now know how to get in; they often come back four to eight weeks later, when they expect insurance to have replaced what was taken; or they reached only a shed, garage or outbuilding the first time and return to try the house. Its advice is to make your home more secure, by as much as possible and without delay.

The work after a break-in is the same work as before one. Police advice on doors and locks and windows and sliding doors set out what each force suggests, and if keys were taken, keys and changing locks covers what the pages say about them. All six positions are on the home page.