Burglary

Burglary is the unauthorized entry into a defined area such as a house or apartment by overcoming an obstacle (e.g. door or window). A burglary is usually carried out with the aim of gaining possession of objects and/or information, i.e. to commit theft.

Burglaries do not usually take place at night, but during the day, with the perpetrators spying on the occupants' absences. This can be during working or shopping hours, at weekends or while on vacation.

For most of those affected, a break-in into the supposed security of their own four walls is a traumatic experience. Quite apart from the resulting damage, the personal sense of security is often permanently impaired.

Victims can suffer from what has happened long after the crime. You can find out what you can do as a victim in the event of a burglary, what rights and claims you have and where you can get help and support on the following websites of the Police of North Rhine-Westphalia.