Burglary – what to do? The checklist for Frankfurt

Immediate checklist: the first steps

1. Stay calm and don't touch anything. However understandable the urge to tidy up – don't go further into the flat and don't touch anything. You could destroy evidence the police need for the investigation.
2. Call 110. The police in Frankfurt are reachable around the clock on 110. Briefly describe what happened and whether someone may still be inside.
3. Get outside if there's danger. If the perpetrators may still be in the flat, don't go in. Leave the building and wait in a safe place for the police.
4. Document the damage – after clearance. As soon as the police allow it, photograph all damage and the mess for the insurance. Make a list of stolen items with their value.
5. Inform your insurer. Report the burglary to your home contents insurance promptly – many policies require notification within a few days.

Filing a report – how it works in Frankfurt

You can file a criminal report at any police station in Frankfurt. In Hesse you can also do this conveniently via the online police station of the Hesse police (onlinewache.polizei.hessen.de). Describe as precisely as possible what, when and where it happened and whether there were witnesses. Important: in case of acute danger or if the offence has only just happened, don't use the online station – call 110 immediately.

The report also matters for the insurance: most home contents insurers require the police report and the case number as proof before they settle the claim.

Free security advice from the police

Little known but very valuable: the police offer free and neutral criminal-police advice on security technology. Frankfurt has its own advice centre for this. The big advantage: the police sell nothing. They tell you objectively which security measures really protect your specific home – so you avoid unnecessary or ineffective purchases that a pure salesperson might push on you.

Door and windows secure again quickly

After a burglary the door is often levered open, the lock damaged and the flat no longer properly lockable – an untenable state, especially at night. We come at short notice, secure or replace the damaged lock and restore lockability. On request we advise you directly on burglar-resistant technology (RC classes, mushroom-head locking, cross bars) so the shock turns into a real improvement in your security and it doesn't happen again.