What to do after a business burglary:
- Contact the police
- Clearly state your version of events
- Notify your insurance company
- Document any property damage and inventory loss
- Review your security protocols
- Develop a new security plan
Being the victim of a successful business burglary is a powerful call to action — it forces you to be proactive about the incident, and take the necessary steps to re-secure your business afterward.
But how, exactly, should you go about this? When your business becomes a target for criminals, and the worst happens, then you might find yourself at a loss at what to do afterward.
To help you out, we’ve prepared a simple guide on what to do after a business burglary:
Contact the police
Before your business can recover, there’s one important thing to do before all else: call the police.
If the burglary is discovered when you approach your building, it’s important to immediately contact the police. Do not enter the premises before doing so, as there is the possibility of the burglary being in progress. The intruders may still be nearby or inside the building.
Get to a safe location, call the police, and prevent others from entering the building. It’s important to stay safe until law enforcement arrives. And, this will help in preserving the scene of the crime. In turn, the authorities can do their job without any disruptions or errors. If any items were moved or touched before their arrival, be sure to inform them.
Clearly state your version of events
Giving an accurate report of what happened will help the police make an arrest. It will also make things easier for you if you decide to file an insurance claim.
To make your report, you should write down all the details of the incident as soon as possible. If your building was broken into while no one was inside, then record the time it was discovered, and who happened upon it. Also, note any initial damage or loss you discovered, and the actions you took before the police arrived.
Keep these questions in mind as you write your report to ensure it is as detailed as possible:
- How many intruders were there?
- What did they look like? Consider age, appearance, and stature.
- How did they enter the building? Did they break in through a door or window?
- What did they take? What items were damaged?
- Did you see them leave in a vehicle? What model, color, or license plate did you make out?
- What direction did they leave in?
If you have security cameras, you can also offer the footage of the incident to the police. This is more descriptive than a written report could be.
Notify your insurance company
Once you’ve given your report to the police, you should notify your insurance company (if you have business insurance) of what happened.
You can use the same report you gave to the police to your insurance agent. But, they likely need more details to work with for you to file your claim. Be sure to ask them what documents you need, but they will generally need a copy of the police report, an inventory list, and photos of any damage that was done to the property.
You may not have all the information you need to make an insurance claim, so proceed to this next step.
Document any property damage and inventory loss
After you’ve contacted your insurance agent, you know what information you need to compile to make your claim.
So, do a walkthrough around your business to identify anything of importance. Take photos of anything that was damaged, such as your furniture, equipment, etc. Take photos of where the theft occurred, as well.
You should also make a list of the damages, and any inventory or other assets that were taken. You might have to do a run of all your stuff to double-check anything that you missed.
You should also investigate if any digital assets or electronic files were tampered with. Work with the employees who are most familiar with this aspect of your business to compile this data as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
Once this step is complete, then you should have all the information you need to complete your insurance claim.
Review your security protocols
When you’re done with all the reports you have to make, it’s time to settle down and figure out why this burglary was able to happen. This means taking a full review of the security protocols your business follows.
As stressful as this incident may be, it’s an excellent time to grow and learn from your security mistakes. It’s a clear indication that your current security measures and systems are not as robust as you initially thought.
Take the time to go over the whys and hows of the incident, and evaluate. What worked, what didn’t and what areas should be improved?
Develop a new security plan
Once you’ve reviewed your current security measures: the final step to take is to reflect on your findings. Consider what should be done to prevent future break-ins. Narrow down your possible courses of action to what makes the most sense for the safety of your business, and which ones provide the most value for your investment.
One of the most holistic and effective solutions to resolving a business burglary is to upgrade your security systems — especially if you haven’t gone digital yet. Using things such as access control systems, visitor management systems, asset tracking, smart parking, and more solutions and devices from ELID will ensure your business is as secure as can be.
Key Takeaway
When your business has become the victim of thieves, it can take a lot of time and effort to deal with the fallout. Follow our step-by-step guide on what to do after a business burglary to quickly recover and get your business running again in no time.
And, if you need assistance in improving your security measures, work with ELID! We have a wide variety of innovative and highly effective security solutions that scale to fit any business of any size. Send us a message, and our team will be happy to discuss your options with you!