Not a happy new year - (Major Update)

[Grier78]

I spent new years eve talking to the police after a couple of chavs burglarised my house and stole shit loads of my stuff. Its nice to know that even during these tough times there are people out there who will steal the little that you do have.

Fortunatly I am insured so I will get most of my stuff back, but I still feel very vunerable. Has anyone else been in this unfortunate psoition and what did you do to cope?

[kinboshi]

Sorry to hear that fella. 

Not much you can do, other than make sure your house is secure for the future (but nothing can stop someone getting in if they really want to - you can just make it harder for them).

[MPOWER]

They best way to get over this is get as many reciepts as possible off freinds
and whack in a nice claim to your insurance company.

  
It may help you cope a bit better.  

Regards

Honest M





 

[boldie]

They best way to get over this is get as many reciepts as possible off freinds
and whack in a nice claim to your insurance company.

  
It may help you cope a bit better.  

Regards

Honest M





 

lol, he's not wrong.

[MPOWER]

Not much you can do, other than make sure your house is secure for the future (but nothing can stop someone getting in if they really want to - you can just make it harder for them).




[/quote]

Never thought of that.

Regards

M

[jakally]

We were burgled a couple of years back.

Didn't have a huge amount taken and fortunately we were not in at the time (think this would be far worse).

My missus was a bit nervous alone in the house for a few months, and was disturbed at the thought of strangers invading her territory - soon passed though.

The police that came round 'encouraged' us to overclaim on insurance (i.e. when we had gone through the list of things missing the kind man winked and pointed out that we would remember more things later on).
Insurance went through fine, although most of the compensation was in vouchers relevant to the items 'missing'.

[Dingdell]

I spent new years eve talking to the police after a couple of chavs burglarised my house and stole shit loads of my stuff. Its nice to know that even during these tough times there are people out there who will steal the little that you do have.

Fortunatly I am insured so I will get most of my stuff back, but I still feel very vunerable. Has anyone else been in this unfortunate psoition and what did you do to cope?

It's horrible and even now a few weeks after the burglary - even though it was a property I own next door and they caught him -  I am still aware of noises a few doors down and wondering if it's someone trying to break in again. I am often checking out the window and I leave a night light on in the hallway. It's pathetic really but it is a real invasion and just confirms how vunerable we can be.

A friend of mine had her mother babysitting for her and when she came back the mother was asleep on the sofa and the tv and electricals had been stolen from in front of her. They dropped her home and never told her otherwise she would probably never have slept soundly again!

It's not uncommon for burglars to revisit (sorry) once you've had a chance to get everything back on the insurance so a definite upgrade of security is worth while.

At the moment I carry my mobile with me at all times, and I'm vigilant. I always turn on lights when going into a room before I would have walked into some rooms only lit by the hall light, I try and make the place look as occupied as possible and I have on a couple of occasions shouted 'see you later' into an empty house as I have gone out.  Not much - but it makes me feel better. 

[Graham C]

Sorry to hear that Grier, hope things don't take too long to get sorted.

[ScottMGee]

Make sure you get an alarm fitted, which you can also alarm the doors / downstairs with when your upstairs asleep.

[Harmony26]

Make sure you get an alarm fitted, which you can also alarm the doors / downstairs with when your upstairs asleep.

If possible have an alarm system which is linked to the Police though this obviously incurs a higher outlay. My alarm has a system whereby it calls my mobile (then Christians, my son and my Mum, if i am unobtainable) if it is activated.  It also has a panic button system. I was burgled a few years ago living alone and it is a frightening and highly-invasive violation.  The police were great and tried to get the jemmied window (all windows had locks on them which WERE locked at the time) repaired that night - alas this did not happen until next day and I sat up all night watching that broken window.  The burglars ransacked every room and I slept downstairs in the front room for three weeks before venturing up to my bedroom again. I was advised to visit second-hand shops, jewellers and a pawnbrokers to see if I could trace any of my stolen property. No luck. I did so but it was really unpleasant and unsettling, especially visiting jewellers to try to trace my very unusual, individually designed white gold engagement and wedding rings on Valentine's day and coming across couples buying engagement and/or wedding rings...somewhat upsetting - I was newly divorced and did not wear the rings but was hanging on to them for investment purposes.  I was livid someone had stolen that "security", amongst everything else, from me.

It does take sometime to settle down and if I could I would move but I can't.  The police were very kind but  we all know their resources are overstretched.  It is possible to contact Victim Support for advice and I was visited by the local Police Representative who could advise me on further safety precautions to take including additional door locks, preventative measures re: my back gate, additional lighting,etc.

I still dread coming in on a dark winter's night, if I am alone, but in the end you just have to get on with it.

I am sorry to hear this happened to you and wish you well with coming to terms with the memory and dealing with the practical "aftermath" as it were.

All the best.

[taximan007]

Sorry to hear that Grier, hope things don't take too long to get sorted.

[GreekStein]

We were burgled a few years ago. My dad actually went home and put the keys in the door and the latch went up on the other side before the burglars ran out the back. Pretty horrible to see the house turned upside down and can shake you up for a while.

Definitely get an alarm fitted and make the house more secure in any way possible. Even a box outside the house which looks like you have an alarm can act as a deterrent.

[steeveg]

Definitely get an alarm fitted and make the house more secure in any way possible. Even a box outside the house which looks like you have an alarm can act as a deterrent

sorry to hear what has happened Grier. worth trying a few deterrents like alarm and locks, also going out of a evening for 5 min and coming straight back in, just change your routine for a few weeks,just in case

[Colchester Kev]

Shitty news mate ... sorry to hear of the problems.

[Grier78]

I am getting an alarm fitted tomorrow and am looking to get a better lock fitted to the front door. I know I cant completly secure the house but I had always had more faith in the strength of the front door.

All I have to do now is remember where I put all my reciepts. Thanks everyone for the support.