Burglary Repairs in Crawley (RH10 & RH11)

If you’ve just had a break‑in in Crawley, you’re likely dealing with shock, a damaged door or smashed window, and a property that no longer feels safe. We handle post‑burglary boarding and make‑safe work across RH10 and RH11, securing homes, shops, and offices at any hour. Our job is to make the property secure quickly and document what we’ve done so you can move forward with your insurer and repair plans.

Need urgent help now? Call 01293 699 986. Prefer email? info@boarding-up-crawley.co.uk

• Call 01293 699 986
• emergency boarding up

We’ve been trading for 10+ years, are fully insured, and our technicians are DBS‑checked. We cover all neighbourhoods in Crawley and the surrounding RH10 and RH11 postcode districts.

When Burglary Damage Happens—and What It Looks Like

Break‑ins tend to happen when properties are empty: overnight for shops and offices; daytime or late evening for homes. In Crawley, we commonly see:

• Forced front or rear doors where locks and frames have been prised or kicked
• Smashed ground‑floor or accessible windows to reach locks
• Shopfront glazing damaged by impact or thrown objects
• Patio doors with shattered toughened glass
• Outbuildings and garage doors levered open

Typical signs:

• Split door frames, dislodged keeps and hinges
• Missing or compromised cylinders and multipoint gear
• Glazing blown out or cracked, beads disturbed
• Alarm panels triggered, police scene reference issued

Your priority is to secure the property so you can safely lock up, sleep, or reopen. That’s where we come in with emergency boarding up, temporary steel doors, and clear, insurer‑friendly documentation.

Our Post‑Burglary Securing Process

Every incident is different, but our approach is consistent and practical:

1. Initial call and triage

   • We’ll ask what’s damaged (door, window, shopfront), property type, and access notes.
   • If the police haven’t attended, we’ll suggest you obtain a crime reference where appropriate.
   • We’ll give a realistic ETA based on current workload and your RH10/RH11 location.

2. On‑site assessment

   • We inspect frames, locks, glazing, and surrounding structure.
   • We photograph damage and our works with timestamps—useful for insurers and landlords.
   • If the frame is too damaged for non‑destructive methods, we’ll explain options before proceeding.

3. Make‑safe and boarding up

   • Windows: Cut‑to‑fit 18mm exterior‑grade plywood (or 12mm OSB for smaller openings) fixed with anti‑tamper screws into solid framing or masonry plugs as required. Edges aligned to avoid water traps.
   • Doors: Where repair isn’t possible, we board over the leaf and frame, or fit a temporary steel door set for secure, usable access.
   • Shopfronts: Larger spans boarded with multiple panels and a supportive batten system to distribute load safely.

4. Security considerations

   • Anti‑tamper fixings to prevent removal from outside—essential if the property will be unattended.
   • Internal fixings where possible to reduce external screw exposure on high‑risk frontages.
   • Temporary steel doors when you need secure access while awaiting glazing/joinery.

5. Handover and documentation

   • Verbal brief on what we’ve done and why.
   • Itemised invoice and work statement describing materials and methods.
   • Time‑stamped photos available on request for insurance claims.

Relevant services:

• Learn more about window boarding in Crawley
• Explore door boarding and temporary steel doors
• For retail, see shopfront boarding in Crawley
• For immediate attendance, go to emergency boarding up

Materials and Methods: Why They Matter After a Break‑In

• Exterior‑grade plywood (18mm) provides a strong, weather‑resistant barrier that’s difficult to remove without tools. We use this for most external openings.
• OSB (12mm) can be suitable for smaller internal apertures or where a lighter panel suffices.
• Anti‑tamper fixings prevent easy removal from outside—important if you’re leaving the property unattended overnight or longer.
• Temporary steel doors give secure, lockable access when a door set or frame is compromised. They’re ideal for multi‑day protection while you organise permanent repairs.
• Security screens may be recommended for vacant or repeatedly targeted premises where medium‑term protection is needed.

We don’t oversell. If a damaged door can be made secure with a repair plate and temporary lock, we’ll explain that option. If a frame is too compromised, we’ll talk through boarding vs temporary steel door, and let you decide.

What To Do Immediately After a Burglary in Crawley

• Ensure your safety first. If intruders may still be present, leave and call 999.
• Call the police on 101 (non‑emergency) to obtain a crime reference if the incident is historic and safe.
• Take photos of the damage if it’s safe to do so—before any clean‑up.
• Call us to secure your property: 01293 699 986.
• Contact your insurer early. Ask what they require (photos, invoices, police reference). We provide itemised invoices and work statements that insurers typically request.
• Avoid DIY boarding from heights or with inadequate fixings. Poorly fitted boards can fail and may void parts of a claim.

If glazing debris is present, keep clear of shards. We’ll make the area safe on arrival.

When We Recommend Temporary Steel Doors

After a burglary, a door might not be salvageable the same day. Consider a temporary steel door if:

• The frame is split or the locking points have torn out
• You need daily access while permanent repairs are arranged
• It’s a commercial unit in RH10/RH11 that must be secured out of hours but opened in the morning
• The property will be vacant for several days

We supply, install, and later remove temporary steel doors as part of our door boarding service.

Insurance and Documentation

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we know what insurers typically ask for after a break‑in:

• Time‑stamped photos of the damage and completed make‑safe work
• Itemised invoice listing materials (e.g., 18mm plywood, anti‑tamper fixings) and labour
• Brief work statement explaining the security method used and why

If you’re making a claim, tell us at booking and we’ll ensure your paperwork supports it. For more guidance, see our dedicated page: insurance claims support for boarding up.

Realistic Scenarios We Handle in RH10 & RH11

A typical call‑out might involve a late‑evening break‑in at a ground‑floor flat in RH10 where a rear window has been smashed to release a lock. We’d arrive with pre‑cut panel stock, measure the opening, and install 18mm plywood with anti‑tamper screws into the surrounding studs. If the beading and frame are badly damaged, we’d secure the full opening rather than attempt a temporary reglaze. Photos would be taken before and after, and we’d leave an itemised invoice for the insurer.

Another common case is a shopfront in RH11 with a cracked pane and displaced beading following attempted entry. We’d board the affected section using a multi‑panel approach with internal battens where structurally appropriate, ensuring the shutter (if fitted) can still operate. The business can reopen safely while waiting for the glazier.

What You Can Expect When You Call

• Calm, clear guidance from the first phone call
• Straightforward, realistic ETA based on time of day and workload—no fixed promises we can’t keep
• Respect for your property and privacy; DBS‑checked technicians
• Clean, tidy work with attention to weathering and fixings alignment
• Clear next steps if you need follow‑on trades (glazier, locksmith, carpenter). We’ll explain what’s required but you choose who to use.

Limitations and Honest Notes

• We don’t guarantee specific arrival times; traffic and workload vary. We prioritise urgent calls.
• We secure and make safe after fire, but full smoke/odour remediation is outside our scope.
• We’re not locksmiths, but we can make doors safe and advise if you’ll need a specialist lock replacement.
• Structural issues beyond boarding (e.g., major lintel movement) may require a builder—if we spot a concern, we’ll tell you before proceeding.

Frequently Asked Questions: Burglary Repairs in Crawley

Can you board up my smashed window tonight in Crawley?

Yes—use our 24/7 boarding up service. We attend across RH10 and RH11 and will give you a realistic ETA when you call 01293 699 986.

I’m in RH10 with a kicked‑in door—do I need a temporary steel door?

If the frame or locking points are severely damaged, a temporary steel door gives secure, usable access while you arrange permanent repairs. We’ll assess on site and explain costs and options. See door boarding in Crawley.

Will my insurer cover emergency boarding up after a burglary in Crawley?

Policies often cover “emergency make‑safe” after theft or attempted theft, but check your wording. We provide itemised invoices, time‑stamped photos, and work statements that insurers typically require. More info: insurance claims.

How long does boarding up take?

Most single openings take 30–90 minutes depending on size and condition. Multiple windows or a large shopfront will take longer. We’ll advise timings on arrival.

Do you serve both RH10 and RH11 areas the same night?

Yes. We cover Crawley and surrounding postcodes and prioritise urgent calls. We’ll confirm an ETA when you ring.

Will boarding damage my frames?

We use appropriate fixings into solid substrate and prefer internal fixings where possible. If a frame is too compromised for non‑destructive methods, we’ll discuss options before we proceed.

Can you make my shopfront safe but allow the shutter to operate?

In most cases, yes. We plan board placement and battens to maintain shutter clearance and safe customer access. See shopfront boarding.

After a burglary in RH11, should I call the police first or you?

If the intruder might still be present or there’s an immediate threat, call 999. Otherwise, call 101 to obtain a crime reference and then call us to secure your property. If timing is tight, we can attend while you coordinate with the police.

Related Services You May Need

• window boarding in Crawley for smashed or cracked panes
• door boarding and temporary steel doors for forced entries
• shopfront boarding for retail and commercial glazing
• For weather‑related incidents, see storm damage securing

Next Steps

Need help now? Call 01293 699 986 for immediate assistance. We’ll secure your property, provide the documentation you need, and guide you through what happens next. Prefer to write? info@boarding-up-crawley.co.uk