This content applies to England only.

Housing laws vary between England and Scotland. Get advice relating to Scotland

Crime prevention

Here are some things you can do to protect your household and reduce the problem in your neighbourhood:

• Protect your home. Fit and use proper locks on doors and windows. Don't leave keys hidden outside. Consider fitting a house alarm. Put locks on sheds etc. Don't leave valuable plants or ornaments in places where they can be damaged or stolen.
• If you have been a victim of vandalism, take extra precautions. Get advice from Victim Support or the police about graffiti resistant surfaces, shutters and grilles. If you rent from the council or a housing association, ask them to help.
• Take part in community action projects, like gardens and play facilities these can help reduce criminal damage.
• Keep an eye out in your neighbourhood for things that may encourage crime. Any of the following may encourage or give opportunities for criminal damage:
  o graffiti and things already damaged
  o broken street lights or damaged security fencing
  o inflammable rubbish or potential projectiles
  o abandoned cars
  o overgrown plants and trees.

Report the situation and make sure that the landowner or council deals with it.

• You know your neighbourhood better than outsiders. You can tell the council what needs doing to reduce criminal damage. Residents' associations can be particularly effective in this way.
• Try to deal with disputes calmly. A surprising number of criminal damage incidents are linked to arguments about small things, like parking spaces or loud music.

For more information about crime prevention call your local police Crime Prevention Officer, and contact your local Neighbourhood Watch.
And make sure you are properly insured.

Reporting criminal incidents

In an emergency, for example where there is a crime going on or has recently happened, call 999 and ask for the police. For less urgent reports, call your local police station, or go along in person. Depending on what has happened, you may be asked to complete a form or even make a statement.
If you need to speak in private, and/or with the help of an interpreter or with a friend present, all of this can be arranged.

The police have limited resources, and must choose which crimes to prioritise. Serious crimes will always be investigated, but minor crimes may not always be followed up.

Repairing damage

Often damage can't be repaired immediately, and must be shown to the police if necessary, and often to insurers as well. But this shouldn't take more than a few days.
See if there is any help available free of charge. For example, the council or a housing association might remove graffiti without charging you.

If you own a flat that suffers vandalism, the freeholder can do some kinds of repair work and then the cost is spread between the flat owners, or it may be covered by the freeholder's insurance. If you rent your home, repairs to the building are generally the landlord's responsibility.

If you need to pay for repairs or security improvements, you may qualify for a loan from the Social Fund. Always ask for help, and if you are not satisfied by what you are told, contact Citizens Advice.

Taking action against perpetrators

You may be able to get compensation from people who have damaged your property or possessions.

Compensation through the criminal court

If someone is convicted of a crime that has caused damage to you or your property, the criminal court can make a compensation order against that person. The order is for compensation of up to £5,000. If you want compensation, tell the Crown Prosecution Service when they contact you about the case, or tell their representative at court.

You have to be realistic about the person's ability to pay. While you should be paid by regular payments, these might be quite small, and if the person moves away or is sent to prison, the payments will probably stop.

Compensation through the civil courts

You can take someone to court (sue them) if they have caused intentional damage to your possessions but this is often an expensive process.
If the person causing damage was a child, you may be able to take the parents to court. But this can be more difficult, so get advice from Citizens Advice or a solicitor.

Victim Support

If you report a crime to the police, you will probably be contacted by Victim Support, a charity that supports people affected by crime. You can also get in touch with Victim Support by using their helpline or visiting their website.

Neighbourhood Watch and Crimestoppers

You may have a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in your area run by volunteers working with the police and the council to prevent crime. They provide information about preventing crime that is focused on particular threats in that area.

Crimestoppers is a charity that offers rewards for information about crimes. Information can be submitted to the website or by telephone. You can contact them anonymously if you want.

Send us feedback

Get advice by email