I've been broken into

[Nomada]

I went out to get some shopping and found my front door kicked in when I got back. They've took what (few) electricals we had but luckily nothing of proper sentimental value that's irreplacable (although there were a few photos and some uni work I'd not backed up on my laptop). At the end of the day it's just stuff but I'm so angry, I worked hard for those things even if it was just stuff. The worst thing is we have a strong inkling it was someone in our block of flats, I don't feel safe here anymore and it's triggered off my anxiety problems. I know it could be worse but I just want to cry....

[Thomzo]

I'm really sorry to hear that. My house was broken into a few years ago and all my jewellery and a whole load of other stuff was taken. I know how heartbraking it can be. My only bit of advice is that you will get over it with time.

The police told me to make the place look like there's someone in at all times. Leaving a light on a timer if you are going to be out late is a good one, although that wouldn't have helped this morning. How about leaving a radio on when you go out? That way it'll sound like there's someone in.

So a big hug from me and I do hope you're not too spooked.
Zoe

[old tree man]

So sorry to hear about your break in, please try not to worry as these type of cretinous morons have respect for no one, be strong and as long as you ok you will get through this

[Percy]

My best to you too.
We were also broken into quite a few years ago, yes it is awful and everything you are feeling will go. They did get the moron, we are in Kent and he was caught, believe it or not, in Leeds. So keep your spirits up, This is right place for support.

[The Riff-Raff Element]

Oh that's crappy, Nomada. Really sorry to hear you've had to go through this.

[MuddyWitch]

MW

[okra]

What a horrid start to 2011. Good luck for the rest of the year

[Alice Abbott]

Wow, I'm sorry to hear that.

It happened to us once and I understand that awful feeling of having been violated, that someone has been touching your things.

Just bear in mind that people who do stuff like that are not rocket scientists, just morons. Our burglars where caught because they sold my camera and other electrical stuff to the local second hand shop and left their real name. Keep your eyes and ears open and make sure all your neighbourts know the position. I'm sure the information on what happened will eventually find its way back to the right place.

AS you say, it's just stuff, you are safe. Things can be replaced. Don't let this stress you too much., Have the police checked for prints etc? It hardly sounds as if you have criminal masterminds at work here and I'm sure they will be caught!

[Milims]

[spider8]

It makes you so mad it really does. A few years back my parents were burgled and they were in at the time! A young scroat climbed their garden fence, walked in to the bungalow through the back door and pinched mums purse and a camera then turned and walked out. Mum was in the kitchen with the radio on and dad was in his wheelchair in his bedroom and it was only when mum saw someone climbing back over the garden fence that they knew anything had happened - makes you think, anything could have happened . Took them a while to get over it but in time they did.
I feel so sorry for you, a horrible thing to have happen, a real shock.

[Helsbells]

Oh this is really terrible, you poor thing, I am so sorry for you. It must be such a dreadful feeling to have been broken into. I really hope you can stay strong and not let it break you down too much.
Thinking of you.

[growingthings]

What an awful thing to happen many many xxx

[Big Al]

I went out to get some shopping and found my front door kicked in when I got back. They've took what (few) electricals we had but luckily nothing of proper sentimental value that's irreplacable (although there were a few photos and some uni work I'd not backed up on my laptop). At the end of the day it's just stuff but I'm so angry, I worked hard for those things even if it was just stuff. The worst thing is we have a strong inkling it was someone in our block of flats, I don't feel safe here anymore and it's triggered off my anxiety problems. I know it could be worse but I just want to cry....

It's "just stuff" but it's your stuff which I guess you didn't nick like this scroat did. Have your good cry and then use this incident to make yourself bigger and better than these scroats. Don't let them make you feel unsafe or anxious, easy said but not meant to hurt, as they will still be wining. If you are up to it ask around the estate for some items like those you have had stolen and see what turns up.

A tip for those who mark all their property with these smart water or invisible pens etc is to do the smaller things like kettles and portable radios as these type items are more likely to be kept by burglars and thus if these are marked as your property then the police can have something to go on.



Take care,

BA

[Nomada]

Thanks for the support guys. It means a lot to me. It's a horrible feeling of violation.

make sure all your neighbourts know the position.

Trouble is we have some very strong suspisions that one of our neighbours did it. You see, he was in all afternoon in the flat across the landing and didn't hear a thing. Our door had been kicked in. The flat next to us has been empty since before Christmas, no one has moved in yet. Our landlord has confimed this today, however, I've heard noises coming from the flat, I thought someone had started moving in perhaps but wasn't gonna move in properly until after Christmas. This neighbour has said that he'd recently been away and had someone minding his flat because he claimed he thought some dodgy people had moved in next to us. Our old neighbour directly next door had given this guy her spare keys because they had been friends and she wanted him to take her old carpets after she'd moved out. He claimed that he knew someone was there because the locks had been changed. Landlord says no locks have been changed on that flat.

Also, he conveniently popped out when the police wanted to ask him questions about what he'd heard and hwo exactly these dodgy neighbours were and was back as soon as coppers had left. It could be nothing but I've just got a bad feeling about it. It was such a short time frame that it all happened in on what just happened to be the only time we left the flat all weekend, it just makes us think it was someone who knew our movements and was close by. The flat next door could be a perfect place to stash that stuff until it was safe to move. Crap, I sound totally paranoid! Landlord can't do anything till Tuesday (Housing association, apparently the keys are with the office staff so with tomorrow being a bank holiday that can't get them). We wont get a new door till then either. The emergency repair man could only patch it. Like I said, it could be worse, the repair guy said he had a job before Christmas that broke his heart. This couple's house had been broken into on Christmas eve and they'd taken all kinds including gifts for the kids that were under the tree.

I can't sleep though! I'm really restless but I've made a start on tidying the mess. My lovely brother kindly lent me his new laptop! I'll be hiding it well when I go out!

[MKG]

Oh, Nomada, have a hug

Everyone's giving you sound advice - as long as you're safe, that's the important thing. For what it's worth, the people (person) who did this are small-time operators who work on an opportunistic basis (the kicking in of the front door and the fact that they took things for which they'll get only a few pennies tells me that). They're kids, in fact. So just work on putting it behind you - they'll not be coming back. Only professional thieves have the nous to do that. You won't be threatened physically, and you'll stay safe. I'm not an ex-burglar, by the way, but I used to work in a related field . Things are always replaceable - your peace of mind is the thing which you need to work on. So refuse to allow the anxiety to take over - as Big Al says, they're just scrotes and you're worth a lot more. Hmmmm - perhaps Big Al might take a contract?

Deep breaths, girl, and get on with your life. It ain't worth allowing a couple of worms to spoil it for you.

Mike