Re-securing property in the event of forced entry
Discussion
Does anyone know if the emergency services are obliged to re-secure a property after forcing entry?
We have an elderly relative who's been taken ill and the house had to be broken into. Unfortunately, because of the distance involved, we can't get there to check that the property is secure and we don't have any local contacts.
We have an elderly relative who's been taken ill and the house had to be broken into. Unfortunately, because of the distance involved, we can't get there to check that the property is secure and we don't have any local contacts.
When the Police broke into my Mother's house (as the Meals on Wheels lady got no response... Mum had gone to her sisters for lunch!) the man with the big red key did sufficient repairs to allow the front door to lock. I arrived just as he was completing the task so it was made easier as I had a key. Hope this helps.
timbo999 said:
When the Police broke into my Mother's house (as the Meals on Wheels lady got no response... Mum had gone to her sisters for lunch!) the man with the big red key did sufficient repairs to allow the front door to lock. I arrived just as he was completing the task so it was made easier as I had a key. Hope this helps.
Thanks for this. I think it's unlikely they'd leave the front door flapping around at least.We don't actually know if it was necessary to break in. Our relative (in her eighties) tried to ring yesterday evening on a mobile (which is unusual) but couldn't speak. At first we thought it was a 'pocket dial' but after a few calls with no speaking, we decided to call the emergency services (she has recently had heart surgery).
The police told us to call an ambulance which we did. We didn't hear from anyone beyond this, so we called the local hospitals this morning. It turns out that the ambulance had managed to get to her and she has been transferred to a specialist unit.
Usually you'd would have somebody wait for boarding up to attend if it's Social housing.
Privately owned in the circumstances as you'd described you would probably make best effort to repair the door or again get somebody out to do it.
Usually family are concerned enough with this type of call to attend anyway and they sort it.
Privately owned in the circumstances as you'd described you would probably make best effort to repair the door or again get somebody out to do it.
Usually family are concerned enough with this type of call to attend anyway and they sort it.
fouronthefloor said:
surveyor said:
Sounds like this is case of saying thank you.
By the way did you secure the property and can you recommend someone if not?
I'm not sure I understand what you are sayingBy the way did you secure the property and can you recommend someone if not?
said:
Sounds like this is case of saying (to the emergency services), thank you for helping my relative, and by the way did you secure the property, or can you recommend someone if not?
Our force had someone who would do repairs or fit keysafes. Keysafes were charged for but the fitting was free. They are a very good idea as the key saves forced entry. When I took calls for police to gain entry it was an automatic question to ask and get the code. They are strongly made and very difficult to break into. Worth getting.
As for reimbursement for forced entry....any door/window would be made secure straight away. Full replacement not paid for. There may be circumstances that would get costs from Age Concern, Council or similar organisations. Check the insurance for claims as well.
The only time the cost of repair would be made is if the wrong house was entered! Drugs raid? No reimbursement in virtually all cases unless something exceptional.
We had calls from people locked out (forgot or lost keys) asking for police to break in for them. They were told to diy the break in.
As for reimbursement for forced entry....any door/window would be made secure straight away. Full replacement not paid for. There may be circumstances that would get costs from Age Concern, Council or similar organisations. Check the insurance for claims as well.
The only time the cost of repair would be made is if the wrong house was entered! Drugs raid? No reimbursement in virtually all cases unless something exceptional.
We had calls from people locked out (forgot or lost keys) asking for police to break in for them. They were told to diy the break in.
mmm-five said:
fouronthefloor said:
surveyor said:
Sounds like this is case of saying thank you.
By the way did you secure the property and can you recommend someone if not?
I'm not sure I understand what you are sayingBy the way did you secure the property and can you recommend someone if not?
said:
Sounds like this is case of saying (to the emergency services), thank you for helping my relative, and by the way did you secure the property, or can you recommend someone if not?
Someone would have called the OP to inform them, and the questions could have been asked then.
mmm-five said:
fouronthefloor said:
surveyor said:
Sounds like this is case of saying thank you.
By the way did you secure the property and can you recommend someone if not?
I'm not sure I understand what you are sayingBy the way did you secure the property and can you recommend someone if not?
said:
Sounds like this is case of saying (to the emergency services), thank you for helping my relative, and by the way did you secure the property, or can you recommend someone if not?
Unfortunately, apart from dialling 999, we've found that it's virtually impossible to get a response from the police and we haven't got a clue how to contact the ambulance service for information, hence asking on here - hopefully, someone has had first hand experience or is in the emergency service and know how these things work.
They wouldn’t have left the home insecure. Done more of these than I can remember and as explained above there’s a few options.... Officer repairs to secure if not much damage done. If social housing they come and repair and if private a duty call out company come and bill the owner/family if details are available.
What force is it?
What force is it?
Fatball said:
They wouldn’t have left the home insecure. Done more of these than I can remember and as explained above there’s a few options.... Officer repairs to secure if not much damage done. If social housing they come and repair and if private a duty call out company come and bill the owner/family if details are available.
What force is it?
The police weren't present. It was ambulance, then fire service, if required for forced entry. For all we know, the door may have been unlocked.What force is it?
fouronthefloor said:
The police weren't present. It was ambulance, then fire service, if required for forced entry. For all we know, the door may have been unlocked.
Have you tried the local fire station to where the property is? Should be easy enough to get their local number and see what they have. Or who is the local/regional ambulance service?
Searching for my local fire station or regional ambulance service on google gives local numbers to contact for both.
I’m sure the ambulance and fire staff would make sure the property is as secure as they can.
If it was my relative I’d be on the road by now to check on this stuff and the relative assuming we are talking same country.
I remember when my dad was hospitalised from the roadside (twice) they pretty much emptied his car into the ambulance. Slight complication on one though as he has their dog with him. A police officer was tasked to dogsit for an hour while a family member made the 50 mile journey to pick the dog up. Dad took a few more days...
If it was my relative I’d be on the road by now to check on this stuff and the relative assuming we are talking same country.
I remember when my dad was hospitalised from the roadside (twice) they pretty much emptied his car into the ambulance. Slight complication on one though as he has their dog with him. A police officer was tasked to dogsit for an hour while a family member made the 50 mile journey to pick the dog up. Dad took a few more days...
surveyor said:
I’m sure the ambulance and fire staff would make sure the property is as secure as they can.
If it was my relative I’d be on the road by now to check on this stuff and the relative assuming we are talking same country.
I remember when my dad was hospitalised from the roadside (twice) they pretty much emptied his car into the ambulance. Slight complication on one though as he has their dog with him. A police officer was tasked to dogsit for an hour while a family member made the 50 mile journey to pick the dog up. Dad took a few more days...
We don't have keys to the property so we'd only be checking on an empty property - it's an eight hour round trip.If it was my relative I’d be on the road by now to check on this stuff and the relative assuming we are talking same country.
I remember when my dad was hospitalised from the roadside (twice) they pretty much emptied his car into the ambulance. Slight complication on one though as he has their dog with him. A police officer was tasked to dogsit for an hour while a family member made the 50 mile journey to pick the dog up. Dad took a few more days...
I've managed to get hold of the local neighbourhood watch co-ordinator from the internet and she's agreed to call in to the house and report back.
Thank you to everyone for their constructive comments.
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