Burglary
Has your home or property been burgled?
Burglary is when someone enters your home, building or land without permission to steal, cause damage, or harm the people living there.
Having someone enter your home without permission can feel very upsetting and unsettling. Your home is meant to be a place where you feel safe. If this has happened to you, support is available.
What is burglary in law?
Burglary is when someone enters a building or part of a building as a trespasser with the intention to:
- Steal something
- Cause damage
- Inflict harm on someone inside
This can include entering your home, garage, shed or other buildings on your property.
How you might be feeling
Being burgled can have a real emotional impact as well as practical consequences.
You might feel:
- Frightened or unsafe in your own home
- Angry or frustrated about what has happened
- Anxious about it happening again
- Unsettled or unable to relax in your home
- Upset about personal belongings being taken or damaged
People respond to burglary in different ways. However you are feeling is valid, and help is available if you would like support.
Get the help you need
If you would like information, advice or emotional support, call us on 0800 876 6155. We can listen to what has happened and help you understand what support options are available.
You can also find support from other organisations and services. Search our directory of services.
Greater Manchester Police provide information about steps you can take to help keep your home safe and reduce the risk of burglary.
Reporting burglary to the police
If a burglary is happening right now and you, someone else, or your property is in immediate danger, call 999.
If you witness a burglary, try not to put yourself at risk. Instead, contact the police by calling 101 or using the live chat on the Greater Manchester Police website.
If you have information that may help the police investigate a burglary or identify those responsible, you can report it by:
- Calling 101
- Using the online reporting or live chat on the GMP website
You can also share information anonymously through Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is a charity that is independent of the police.