After a Burglary: What to Do?

First Reflexes After a Burglary

When we arrive after a burglary call, the first thing people tell us is almost always the same: "I had no idea what to do." Drawers pulled out, belongings scattered, a forced door — that feeling that someone has gone through your private life makes it hard to think straight. We understand. We see that shock on our customers' faces every week across Brussels.

This guide exists so that, if it happens to you, you know exactly what to do and in what order. Every decision you make in the hours following the discovery of a break-in can affect the police investigation, your insurance claim and the security of your home going forward.

First and foremost: if you arrive home and notice signs of forced entry, such as a damaged door, a smashed window or a torn-out lock, do not go inside. The burglars may still be on the premises. Move to a neighbour's home or a safe spot on the street and call the police immediately.

Call the Police (101 or 112)

Your very first step is to contact the police. In Brussels and the surrounding municipalities, you can dial 101 (Belgian police number) or 112 (European emergency number). If there is no immediate danger, you may also call the local police station in your zone.

Here are the main Brussels police zones you can contact:

• Brussels Capital Ixelles Zone (Brussels City, Ixelles)
• Midi Zone (Anderlecht, Saint-Gilles, Forest)
• Marlow Zone (Uccle, Watermael-Boitsfort, Auderghem)
• Montgomery Zone (Etterbeek, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre)
• North Zone (Schaerbeek, Evere, Saint-Josse-ten-Noode)
• West Zone (Molenbeek, Koekelberg, Jette, Ganshoren, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe)

Brussels Police Zones in Detail

Brussels is divided into 6 police zones. The station you report to and the local number you call depend on the municipality where you live:

• Brussels Capital / Ixelles Zone (5339): Brussels City, Ixelles
• Midi Zone (5341): Anderlecht, Forest, Saint-Gilles
• West Zone (5340): Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Ganshoren, Jette, Koekelberg, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean
• North Zone (5343): Evere, Schaerbeek, Saint-Josse-ten-Noode
• Montgomery Zone (5342): Auderghem, Etterbeek, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre
• Marlow Zone (5344): Uccle, Watermael-Boitsfort

Dialling 101 automatically routes you to the correct zone. To file a formal complaint, visit your zone's police station with a valid ID. The official police report (proces-verbaal) is essential for your insurance claim.

When you call, describe the situation calmly: what you noticed, whether or not you entered the property, and whether you believe the intruders may still be present. The police will dispatch a patrol to your address. Officers will draw up an official police report (proces-verbaal), which you will need for your insurance claim.

Keep the report reference number safe. You will need it for every administrative step that follows.

Don't Touch Anything: Preserve Evidence

While you wait for the police to arrive, it is critical that you do not move, clean or tidy anything. Every detail can serve as evidence for investigators: fingerprints on door handles, footprints in the garden, tool marks on the door frame, or textile fibres left behind by the intruders.

Here is what you should avoid doing:

• Do not touch doors or windows through which the burglars entered or exited
• Do not pick up objects scattered on the floor
• Do not clean surfaces that may carry fingerprints
• Do not throw anything away, even items that appear damaged beyond repair
• Limit your movements inside the property to avoid contaminating the scene

If the police decide that forensic technicians need to examine the scene, they will collect fingerprints, DNA traces and other evidence. This meticulous work can take several hours, but it is decisive for identifying the perpetrators.

Once the police have finished their work, take detailed photographs of all the damage: forced locks, broken doors, shattered windows and ransacked rooms. These photos will form an essential part of your insurance file.

Contact Your Home Insurance

In Belgium, most home insurance policies cover theft with forced entry, provided certain conditions are met. You must report the incident to your insurer within the timeframe stated in your contract, typically within 24 to 48 hours of discovering the burglary.

To build your claim, gather the following documents:

• The police report reference number issued by the attending officers
• A detailed list of stolen items, with original purchase receipts or photographs where possible
• Photos of all damage to your property, including locks, doors and windows
• Repair quotes for material damage such as lock replacement and door repair

Be aware that many Belgian insurance contracts require your locks and closing mechanisms to meet certain security standards. If your lock was outdated or failed to comply with the minimum requirements, your insurer may reduce the payout. This is yet another reason to invest in certified security locks that meet current standards.

Have Your Locks Changed Immediately

After a burglary, replacing your locks is an absolute priority. The burglars may have copied your keys, studied how your locking mechanisms work, or damaged the locks to the point where they no longer protect your home properly.

Do not spend a single night in your home with compromised locks. Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week across Brussels and Brabant to replace your locks on an emergency basis, including evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays.

We work with the most reliable lock brands on the market to guarantee your safety:

• Fichet -- high-security cylinders and multipoint locks renowned for their resistance to break-in attempts
• Bricard -- robust locks with anti-pick and anti-drill protection
• Vachette -- a comprehensive range of European cylinders offering an excellent level of protection
• Mul-T-Lock -- patented double-pin-row technology that is extremely difficult to manipulate
• Picard -- high-security French locks with A2P certification

During replacement, our technicians systematically install the latest-generation cylinders equipped with anti-pick, anti-bump and anti-drill protections. We also ensure the new system complies with the requirements of your insurance contract.

Strengthening Your Security So It Does Not Happen Again

What we notice after nearly every burglary is that the weak points were often visible beforehand: a basic cylinder, a door without reinforcement, no multipoint lock. This is the right moment to assess all your protective measures and strengthen them for the long term. In Brussels, some municipalities even offer a free security audit carried out by a burglary prevention adviser. Contact your local communal administration to find out more.

Door reinforcement

In the majority of burglaries in Belgium, intruders gain access through the front door. Reinforcing your existing door is one of the most effective ways to deter break-in attempts. This involves adding a steel plate, reinforced hinges and a metal frame to your current door, without necessarily replacing the door itself.

Multipoint locks

A multipoint lock secures your door at three, five or even seven anchoring points distributed along its full height. Unlike a single-point lock, it provides far greater resistance to crowbar attacks and forced entry. We work with brands such as Fichet, Bricard and Picard to install multipoint locks suited to your specific door type.

Smart locks

Smart locks, such as those made by Nuki, allow you to control access to your home from your smartphone. You receive a notification every time the door is opened, you can grant temporary access to a friend or family member, and you know in real time whether your door is locked. These systems are an excellent complement to a quality mechanical lock.

Alarm systems and cameras

Alongside high-performance locks, installing an alarm system with motion and door-opening detectors is a powerful deterrent. Statistics show that a home fitted with a visible alarm is significantly less likely to be targeted. Some Belgian insurers also offer reduced premiums for households with a certified security system in place.

Exterior lighting and good habits

Simple habits can also reduce your risk considerably:

• Install motion-activated exterior lighting around all entry points
• Never leave spare keys under the doormat or inside a flower pot
• Use timer switches on indoor lights when you are away to simulate someone being home
• Ask a trusted neighbour to collect your post while you are on holiday
• Report any extended absence to your local police station as part of the Belgian police "Watch My Home" programme

The Psychological Aspect: Don't Stay Alone

Beyond the material damage, a burglary leaves deep emotional scars. Fear of returning home, trouble sleeping, anxiety and a lingering sense of insecurity are common reactions among victims. These effects can impact every member of the household, including children.

Do not downplay these reactions, and do not face this ordeal alone. Talk to your family and friends, your GP or a mental health professional. In Belgium, several victim support services are available free of charge:

• The victim support service attached to the Brussels Court of First Instance
• The Maisons de Justice (Justice Houses) run by the Federation Wallonia-Brussels, which offer psychological and legal support
• The 0800 30 030 helpline (Tele-Onthaal / Tele-Accueil), available around the clock and free of charge

Regaining control of your security also helps restore your sense of confidence. Knowing that your locks have been replaced with high-performance systems, that your door has been reinforced and that your home is better protected than it was before the break-in genuinely helps you feel safe again in your daily life.

If you have just been burgled, do not sit with it alone. We can be at your door within half an hour to secure the entry and replace the locks — even at two in the morning. And once things have settled down, we are happy to come back and do a full walkthrough of your access points to recommend what is missing. Call 0495 205 400 or send us a WhatsApp message.