| |
|
|
What happens after you’ve been burgled? How can you help us with our investigation? A step-by-step guide Step One Firstly after you have called the police to report your burglary it is important that you avoid damaging potential evidence - such as finger prints or tool marks – please try wherever possible not to move any items in your home even though you may have a real urge to tidy up. Wait until a police officer arrives. They will be able to tell you what items you can touch or move before the crime scene investigation officer arrives. Step Two An officer will visit your home and discuss with you how the thief got in and what was stolen. This will get recorded on a crime report. The officer will need to take a statement from you – without this we cannot find and arrest the offender. The officer will ask you if you have the serial and model numbers from any electrical goods that are missing. They will also want to know whether any of the missing property had been marked with a postcode and/or a UV pen. Any other distinctive markings will also be listed by the officer. If you have any photos of the property this will also help the officer to re-unite you with the property if it is found. As a house break-in can be a traumatic experience, the police will refer you, if you wish, to victim support. The Victim Support scheme is a charity with volunteers providing free counselling to people affected by serious crime. Representatives work throughout the Avon and Somerset Constabulary area. Step Three As part of the initial enquiries at the scene of the crime, the officer calls door-to-door to ask neighbours if they saw anything suspicious. All officers can give basic crime prevention advice and will point out to the victim if there is any security weakness which needs prompt attention. Unfortunately, the chances are that if you have been burgled, it is likely to be due to poor home security. It may also be possible for the police to arrange a visit from our Bobby Van, a trained carpenter who visits victims of burglaries, to fix security equipment to your windows and doors. Police also make the immediate neighbours aware that a property nearby has been burgled so that, if necessary, they too can take preventative steps. Step Four A crime scene investigation officer will attend to hunt for fingerprints and other tell-tale marks of an offender's presence such as fibres, blood or tool marks. Victims may be asked to provide their own fingerprints for elimination against any that are found. Photographs and descriptions of stolen and recovered antiques are stored on computer and similar systems in other forces around the country, such as www.immobilise.com, can be searched at the touch of a button. High-value or unusual burglaries are considered for media coverage and property that police recover is often put on show to help trace the owner. Step Five Officers will begin the investigation of your burglary. There are a number of ways that an offender can be caught for the offence. The burglar can be caught red-handed committing the offence or they can be caught committing another burglary and during questioning they admit to other burglaries, including yours, to be taken in to consideration. Officers may find evidence that links a suspect to your burglary, such as stolen property or fingerprints on your property that match the suspect’s. Offenders can also be identified through the VIPER system – a computerised version of an identity parade. It is these methods that enable an officer to charge an offender with your burglary and sent before the courts. Officers will keep the householder informed as an inquiry progresses and will let them know if someone is charged. However, if a crime is not solved, the file is always kept open in case new information comes to light. A crime can be solved many months or even years later by people serving prison sentences or by suspects who admit other additional offences or match a fingerprint or DNA. |
Home
Back to top
Terms and conditions