Burglary Repairs in East London (Emergency Boarding Up & Property Securing)

A break-in is invasive, stressful, and often messy — splintered doors, a smashed window, the lock hanging off, glass everywhere. The priority in the first few hours isn’t a perfect repair; it’s to secure the property so you’re safe, your insurer is satisfied, and you’re not left exposed overnight.

Boarding Up East London provides burglary repairs and emergency boarding up across E postcodes (E1–E77). We’re fully insured, have DBS-checked technicians, and we’ve been trading 10+ years. If you need to board up a broken window, board up a door, or simply get the place made safe after a burglary, we can talk you through the quickest, most sensible option.

Need help now? Call 020 4634 6384 (24/7) or email [email protected].

When burglary repairs are needed (common break-in damage)

Every burglary is different, but we tend to see a few repeat patterns across East London homes, flats, shops, and offices:

Smashed window glass (ground floor, side return, rear access, or communal areas)
Forced doors: snapped cylinders, broken night latches, cracked frames, doors kicked in
Damaged patio / balcony doors (misaligned, glass cracked, locks compromised)
Shopfront attacks: smashed panes, bent frames, forced shutters, or doors jammed open
Secondary damage: internal doors broken, alarm boxes ripped, loose handles/hinges

Even if the opening looks “mostly closed”, a cracked pane or weakened frame can be a serious risk — especially if the property will be empty overnight, if there’s already been a second attempt, or if the burglary has drawn attention locally.

If you’re thinking “Who can board up my window tonight in East London?” — this is exactly what our emergency boarding up East London team deals with daily.

For urgent call-outs, see: emergency boarding up.

What to do immediately after a burglary (before we arrive)

If you’ve just had a break-in, these steps help protect you and keep things straightforward for insurance:

If the intruder may still be nearby, call 999. If it’s no longer in progress, call 101 and request a crime reference number.
Don’t touch damaged entry points more than necessary — doors, windows, or tools left behind could be evidence.
Take photos/video if it’s safe: wide shots and close-ups of damage, including locks and frames.
Secure pets and children away from glass and sharp debris. If you can isolate the room, do.
Call your insurer early (or your landlord/property manager). Ask what documentation they need.
Call us to make safe and secure the property. We’ll ask a few practical questions and give a realistic ETA on the phone.

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can provide the kind of documentation insurers usually ask for (see below).

Need out of hours help? Call 020 4634 6384 for 24/7 boarding up across East London.

How we secure properties after a break-in (our “make safe” process)

Burglary repairs usually happen in phases. On the first visit, the goal is to stop access, prevent further damage, and protect against weather. Permanent repairs can follow once your insurer, landlord, or glazing/lock supplier is arranged.

1) Rapid assessment of the entry point(s)

When we arrive, we’ll assess:

What’s actually compromised (glass only, frame damage, lock failure, hinges, surrounding brickwork)
Whether there are multiple vulnerable points (back door + side window is common)
Whether non-destructive fixing is possible (so you can reinstate quickly)
Any safety concerns: loose glass, hanging door, unstable frames, overhead hazards

If a frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain options before proceeding.

2) Window boarding after burglary (broken or vulnerable glazing)

If you’ve got a smashed window, the fastest route to security is usually boarding:

For most domestic windows we use 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength and reliable fixings
For smaller openings or low-risk temporary covers, 12mm OSB may be suitable
We use anti-tamper fixings where appropriate, especially if the property will be unattended

The aim is to stop opportunist re-entry and keep the opening secure until glazing is replaced.

Related service: window boarding in East London

If you need to board up broken window damage now: Call 020 4634 6384.

3) Door boarding and temporary access solutions

After a forced entry, doors can be tricky: you need security, but you may also need safe access for residents, landlords, trades, or insurers.

Depending on the damage, we might:

Board up a door that’s been kicked in or cannot lock at all
Reinforce the door area to reduce flexing and prevent re-attack
Fit a temporary steel door (often the best choice when the existing door/frame is beyond quick securing)

Temporary steel doors are designed for medium-term security and controlled access — ideal for voids, post-burglary entry points, or when a replacement door is on order.

Related service: door boarding in East London

4) Shopfront security after burglary

Commercial burglary repairs often involve larger panels, public-facing risk, and the need to look “closed and secure” immediately.

For retail and commercial units, we can:

Board over glazing to prevent entry and reduce injury risk
Secure doors and side panels to stop pry attacks
Recommend a stronger temporary option when the unit will be closed for days (e.g., security screening depending on site needs)

Related service: shopfront boarding in East London

If your premises needs to be made safe tonight, don’t wait until morning — a damaged shopfront can attract repeat attempts.

Need a shopfront boarded up urgently? Call 020 4634 6384.

5) What you receive (useful for insurers, landlords, and managing agents)

We aim to make the admin side easier while you deal with the stress of the incident. Typically we can provide:

Before-and-after photos (time-stamped where possible)
An itemised invoice showing materials and labour
A clear statement of work: what was damaged and what we did to secure it
Notes on any limitations (e.g., frame too unstable for certain fixings)

For practical guidance, see: insurance claims support.

Why boarding up after a burglary matters (even if “it’s only one pane”)

After a break-in, properties are at higher risk of:

Repeat attempts (burglars may return if they think access is easy)
Weather damage (rain and wind can quickly worsen internal damage)
Safety hazards (broken glass, insecure doors, loose panels)
Insurance complications (delay in securing can raise questions later)

Boarding up is not about making the property pretty — it’s about making it secure, safe, and defensible while you arrange permanent repairs.

If you’re weighing up what to do next, you may find this overview helpful: what is boarding up?

Burglary repairs for different property types

Residential homes and flats

Break-ins at homes and flats often involve rear access, ground floor windows, or weak door hardware. If you’re a tenant, you may need to notify your landlord or managing agent — but you still need to be safe tonight.

Commercial premises (shops, offices, restaurants)

For commercial sites, the concerns are often: visibility to passers-by, out of hours attacks, and preventing business interruption. We can help you secure property quickly and provide documentation for facilities teams and insurers.

Vacant and void properties

If the property is empty (between tenancies, probate, renovation), burglary can escalate into squatting or repeated damage. In these cases, stronger temporary security is often the sensible route.

How long does burglary boarding up take?

It depends on the number of openings, access, and how damaged the frames are. A single board up broken window job can sometimes be straightforward; a forced entry with a damaged door frame and multiple panes takes longer.

When you call, we’ll ask for the essentials (property type, openings affected, ground floor/upper floor, any urgent safety issues) and then give a realistic ETA and approach. We don’t guarantee fixed arrival times because traffic, out of hours workload, and on-site complexity vary — but we prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible.

For urgent burglary repairs across East London: Call 020 4634 6384.

Burglary repairs and insurance: what helps your claim

Insurers usually want proof of damage and proof that you acted to prevent further loss. Helpful steps include:

Keep your crime reference number
Take photos before anything is moved (when safe)
Keep receipts for immediate security work
Record any missing items separately for police/insurer
Ask us for an itemised invoice and work summary

We can’t advise on policy wording, but we can supply the paperwork that’s typically requested and clearly describe what we did to secure the property.

More guidance: insurance claims support

FAQs about burglary repairs in East London

Do you provide emergency boarding up after a burglary at night?

Yes. We offer 24/7 boarding up in East London for break-ins, including out of hours call-outs. If you need to make safe a door or a smashed window, call and we’ll talk through the situation and give an ETA.

Can you board up a door that’s been kicked in?

In many cases, yes. If the door and frame can’t be secured reliably with boarding alone, we may recommend a more robust temporary solution such as a temporary steel door. The right answer depends on how compromised the frame is.

Related: door boarding in East London

I’ve got a smashed window — should I wait for a glazier?

If the opening is accessible, the property is empty, or the weather is turning, waiting can increase risk. Temporary boarding is often the safest immediate step, then glazing can be scheduled once approved/ordered.

Related: window boarding in East London

Will the boards damage my window frame or brickwork?

We use fixing methods suited to the surface and the urgency. Where possible, we aim for secure, tidy work that can be removed with minimal disruption. If the surrounding area is already cracked, rotten, or unstable, we’ll explain what’s feasible before we proceed.

Can you secure a shopfront after a burglary?

Yes — shopfronts are a common call-out. We can arrange shopfront boarded up solutions to stop access and reduce risk until the glazing and frames are properly repaired.

What information should I have ready when I call?

If you can, tell us:

The postcode (E1–E77) and whether it’s a flat, house, or commercial unit
What’s damaged (window/door/shopfront) and roughly how many openings
Whether it’s ground floor or upper floor
Any immediate dangers (glass, exposed wiring, door hanging off)

If you’re shaken up and can’t answer everything, that’s fine — we’ll guide you.

Do you cover my area in East London?

We cover E postcodes across East London, including areas such as E1, E2, E3, E6, E7, E8, E9, E14, E15 and beyond. If you’re unsure, call and we’ll confirm coverage.

You can also view: areas we cover

Can you help if the property has been burgled and then left vacant?

Yes. Vacant buildings often need stronger, longer-lasting solutions to prevent repeat entry. We’ll discuss the best option based on how long it needs to remain secure and the condition of the structure.

Related: vacant property boarding up

Speak to a burglary repairs team now (East London)

A burglary can’t always be “fixed” in one visit, but it can be secured in one visit. If you need emergency boarding up, a board up door solution, or help after a smashed window, we’re ready to help across East London (E1–E77).

Need help now? Call 020 4634 6384 or email [email protected].

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