Burglary Repairs in Bromley (BR1–BR8): Boarding Up & Securing Your Property After a Break-In
If you’ve come home to a forced door, a smashed window, or a damaged lock, it’s a horrible feeling—and it can be hard to know what to do first. Our burglary repairs in Bromley focus on the urgent, practical part: making your property safe, secure, and weather-tight after a break-in across the BR postcodes.
If you need immediate help, call us now on Call 020 4634 7872 or email info@boarding-up-bromley.co.uk.
We cover Bromley, Beckenham, Chislehurst, Orpington, West Wickham, Hayes, Petts Wood and the wider BR1–BR8 area, including homes, flats, shops, offices, and vacant properties.
When burglary repairs are needed (common Bromley scenarios)
Burglary damage isn’t always “just a broken pane”. In Bromley, we regularly see break-ins involving:
- Forced front or back doors on 1930s semis (split timber, damaged frames, bent keeps)
- Smashed ground-floor windows—often side windows or rear patio areas out of view
- Attacks on shopfront glazing and doors on busy parades and near stations
- Damage to communal entrances in blocks (buzzers, entry doors, sidelights)
- Vacant properties targeted because they look unoccupied (letters piling up, no lights)
Whether the incident happened near Bromley South Station, around The Glades (Bromley town centre), or in quieter residential pockets closer to Chislehurst Common, the priorities are the same: stop re-entry, protect the interior from weather, and leave you with clear documentation for insurers and landlords.
For urgent help, you can also use our dedicated emergency page: emergency boarding up.
What to do straight after a break-in (practical steps)
If you’ve just discovered a burglary, these steps usually help:
- Call 999 if the intruder may still be inside or there’s immediate danger. Otherwise report via 101.
- Don’t touch broken glass, tools, or disturbed areas if police forensics may attend.
- Take photos if it’s safe—wide shots and close-ups of the damage (doors, frames, glass, locks).
- Make a quick list of what’s been damaged (door leaf, frame, glazing, internal doors, shutters).
- Call us to secure the property so it isn’t left exposed overnight.
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we can provide the sort of documentation insurers typically ask for—such as time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a clear statement of work.
How we secure a property after burglary in Bromley
Burglary repair work can mean different things depending on what’s been hit—door, window, shopfront, or even a rooflight. Our role is to make the building secure quickly, using the right method for the opening and the level of risk.
1) Initial assessment: what’s safe, what’s salvageable
When we arrive, we’ll assess:
- Which openings are vulnerable (front, rear, side access, alleyway-facing windows)
- Whether the frame is intact enough for a non-destructive fix
- Whether the property is occupied, vacant, or being handed back to a landlord/agent
- Any access challenges (rear gardens, tight driveways, upper floors)
If the frame is too damaged for a clean, non-destructive method, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. The goal is always to leave the property secure without creating avoidable extra damage.
2) Boarding up broken windows (the most common burglary repair)
For windows, we typically use:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, secure boarding on vulnerable openings
- 12mm OSB for smaller or less exposed areas where appropriate
We measure and cut on site, then fix boards using methods suited to the frame type and condition. Where the property is likely to be empty, we often recommend anti-tamper fixings because they’re harder to remove from outside—important if the building will be unattended.
If your break-in involved glazing damage, see: window boarding in Bromley.
3) Securing forced doors (and when a temporary steel door makes sense)
A kicked-in or prised door often leaves:
- A split timber door leaf
- A compromised frame/lining
- Damaged hinges, keeps, and latch points
If the existing door can’t be reliably secured, we may recommend a more robust temporary solution, especially for empty properties or repeated targeting. In some cases, a temporary steel door provides better medium-term security than re-boarding a doorway.
For door-specific options, see: door boarding in Bromley.
4) Shopfront burglary repairs: larger openings, higher exposure
If a shopfront is attacked, the risks are immediate: it’s visible, it attracts attention, and it can be hard to secure quickly if the opening is wide.
We board shopfronts using larger panels and stronger fixings, with a focus on:
- Preventing easy removal from the street side
- Keeping the premises secure until glazing contractors can replace the unit
- Supporting out-of-hours needs for retailers and managers
If you need commercial help, see: shopfront boarding in Bromley.
5) Rooflights and awkward access points (often overlooked)
Burglars sometimes exploit poorly visible access points—flat roof windows, rear extensions, or vulnerable skylights. If a rooflight is broken or removed, the interior can be exposed to rain quickly.
We can secure and protect these openings where safe access is possible. For more information, see: roof boarding in Bromley.
6) Longer-term security for vacant properties
If the property will remain empty—between tenants, probate, renovations, or after major damage—boarding may be the first step, but not always the last.
For longer-term protection, we can discuss solutions such as steel security screens for repeated-risk openings. You can also explore how we approach empty buildings here: vacant property boarding.
What you can expect when you call us
We keep the process simple and transparent:
- You call: Call 020 4634 7872 and tell us what’s happened (door/window/shopfront, address, whether the site is safe).
- We ask a few practical questions: size of opening, floor level, any boarded areas already, access notes, whether police are attending.
- We attend to secure the property (priority to the most vulnerable openings first).
- We provide documentation: time-stamped photos (where possible), and an itemised invoice and work statement suitable for insurers/agents.
We don’t guarantee fixed arrival times—traffic, police attendance, and access conditions vary—but we prioritise urgent break-in calls, especially where a property can’t be safely occupied.
Materials and methods we use (and why)
We choose materials based on risk, exposure, and how long the board-up needs to last:
- Exterior-grade plywood (often 18mm): strong, durable, good for high-risk openings
- OSB (often 12mm): suitable for smaller openings or temporary protection
- Anti-tamper fixings: reduces the chance of boards being removed from outside
- Careful fixing methods: aimed at securing the opening while avoiding unnecessary damage to frames and brickwork
If you’re unsure what you need, we’ll talk it through on the phone and confirm on arrival.
Insurance and documentation after a burglary
After a break-in, insurers often want clear records. If you can, keep:
- Your crime reference number
- Photos of the damage before anything is moved (only if safe)
- A note of what’s affected (door leaf, frame, glazing, internal damage)
We can support your claim by providing the paperwork we’re typically asked for. For more guidance, see: insurance claims support.
Micro case study: securing a break-in near Bromley town centre
A small managed property near Bromley South (close to the main routes around Masons Hill) suffered a break-in where the intruder forced a rear door and smashed a nearby ground-floor window. The occupants were understandably anxious about staying overnight.
We attended to secure the window with exterior-grade plywood using fixings suitable for the frame condition, then made the rear access point safe so the property could be occupied again. We supplied time-stamped photos and an itemised invoice for the landlord and insurer, and highlighted where the door frame would need a proper repair by a locksmith/joiner.
(We secure properties—full lock replacement and carpentry repairs are often handled by your chosen locksmith or contractor, but we’ll explain what we can do immediately versus what needs follow-on work.)
FAQs about burglary repairs & boarding up in Bromley
How quickly can you board up after a burglary in Bromley?
We prioritise urgent break-in calls, especially where a door or window can’t be secured. We can’t promise exact arrival times because conditions vary, but if you need help today or out of hours, use emergency boarding up.
Will boarding up prevent another burglary?
Boarding up significantly reduces easy access and helps deter opportunists—especially when we use strong panels and anti-tamper fixings. No security measure is absolute, but a properly secured opening is far safer than leaving it exposed.
Can you secure a door if the frame is damaged?
Often yes. If the frame is badly compromised, we’ll explain options—boarding the doorway or fitting a more robust temporary solution. If specialist joinery is required, we’ll tell you clearly.
Do you cover shops as well as homes?
Yes. We secure residential, commercial, and mixed-use properties across BR postcodes, including shopfront glazing and doors. See: commercial boarding up.
Do you provide paperwork for insurance?
Yes—typically photos, an itemised invoice, and a statement of work. For tips on what to keep and how to present it, read: insurance claims support.
Related services for burglary damage
Depending on what’s been hit, these pages may help:
- Broken or vulnerable glazing: window boarding in Bromley
- Forced doors and entry points: door boarding in Bromley
- Retail units and large glazed fronts: shopfront boarding in Bromley
- Skylights/roof openings: roof boarding in Bromley
- Understanding the process: what boarding up is and when it’s used
Helpful Links
- emergency boarding up
- window boarding in Bromley
- door boarding in Bromley
- shopfront boarding in Bromley
- insurance claims support
- contact us
Need help now after a break-in? Call 020 4634 7872 for immediate assistance, or email info@boarding-up-bromley.co.uk.
