Housebreaking is the deliberate act of forcibly entering another person’s property with the intent to steal from that premises.

Housebreaking might not just impact you financially but may have a significant impact on your emotional well-being and sense of security.

Following a housebreaking incident, you may experience:

  • Fear of leaving the house
  • Fear of being alone
  • Feeling violated
  • Feeling unsafe
  • Nightmares
  • A sense of being overwhelmed
  • Anger
  • Anxiety
  • Confusion
  • Self-blame
  • Financial loss

When a stranger comes uninvited into your home, it can be extremely distressing and feel like a violation of your security.

Children can be very frightened and may need reassurance, even if they don’t talk much about what’s happened. Some people may lose items of significant sentimental and personal value which can be very upsetting. People can blame themselves if they forgot to secure a window or door, or if they were tricked by the perpetrator.

It’s important to remember that it’s not your fault and that all of these reactions are normal. Only the perpetrator is to blame for their behaviour.

Victim Support Scotland can provide personalised support and information to you and anyone you know who was affected by the crime. You don’t need to report the crime to receive our help.

First and foremost, we will listen to you and allow you the time to talk about your experiences. We will provide you with a trained supporter who has experience dealing with such cases and who can offer nonjudgmental support and information. Our aim is to help you feel safer and emotionally stronger and better informed of your rights.

We can also provide practical help. We can help you to feel safe in your home and get advice about security systems, locks and repairs. We can support you to fill out forms, deal with insurance claims, cancel cards, and replace key documents. We may be able to help you to access funds if you are in urgent need immediately following a crime.

We may put you in touch with Neighbourhood Watch Scotland. Joining a neighbourhood watch group might help you feel safer in your home because your neighbours working together to keep your local community safe. Neighbourhood watch members may have similar concerns about safety in your community and might support you after your experiences.

If you or someone you care about has been affected by a housebreaking incident, please know that you are not alone. Whoever you are, whatever the situation and whenever the crime took place, we can help you.

You can access our services regardless of whether you have reported the crime or not to the police. Our services are free, independent and confidential.*

*We will only alert someone else if we feel you are at risk to yourself or to others.