What to do after you have been robbed.

1. Phone the authorities. Many people do not phone the police or report the crime as they feel the police cannot help them.

This perception has been sadly reinforced this week after it was revealed that the emergency crime number has been out of order for an unspecified amount of time. But do not lose hope in the authorities completely, although one can see how you may be tempted to do so after this latest revelation. If you do not report your goods as stolen then there is virtually no chance you will recover them. Also, reporting the crime may give the police clues to catch the crooks, thus saving someone else this ordeal. On top of this, you cannot file an insurance claim without a police case number.2. If you arrive home to see that your home has been burglarised, do not enter as there may still be people in your house. If you are certain they have left, do not touch anything, doors, windows etc. as the police may come and take fingerprints. 3. After you are robbed, it is natural that you will feel vulnerable and violated. It is important to take some time to recover. The support of family and friends will be important. Also it will be good to take some tangible steps that make you safer and make you feel more secure in your home. An example would be getting a new alarm system or changing the locks on your doors and windows.

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