Never Caught OutIndependent UK guide Crisis

Long haul · Security

Home security and keeping a low profile during disorder

Your safety comes before your property. This guide covers lawful, defensive steps only: locks, lights, checking callers and staying away from trouble.

First draftDrafted 1 November 2026Applies across the UK

Physical security

Police.uk advises lower front fences so the house can be seen from the street, taller fencing at the back and sides, low white lighting at doors that comes on from dusk to dawn, and keeping plants cut back so they do not hide anyone.

Checking callers

Distraction burglars may pretend to be from a care agency, the council or a utility company investigating a leak, and may claim an emergency. Police.uk’s advice is: use a door viewer, put the chain on before opening, ask for ID and check it using a phone number you find yourself, and close the door while you check. If you feel threatened, call 999.

During local disorder

  • Stay indoors and away from windows if trouble is nearby. Do not go to look.
  • Do not confront anyone or try to protect property yourself. Call 999 if anyone is in danger.
  • Follow instructions from the police and your council, including any advice on where to go.
  • Check on vulnerable neighbours by phone or message rather than going out.

Keeping a low profile

During a long outage, avoid advertising what you have. Keep supplies out of sight from the street and do not post about them on social media.

Fire safety still comes first

Never block exits with furniture or extra locks that need a key nobody can find. Keep smoke alarms working and know your escape route, as Be Ready advises.

To be added

  • Specific police guidance on reporting disorder, once we have checked the current wording.

Official sources we used

  1. Keep burglars out of your property (Police.uk)
  2. Be ready for emergencies, including the Be Ready checklist (UK Government, Be Ready)

We link to official pages so you can check the latest advice yourself. If something here differs from what an official source says now, follow the official source. Where we quote or adapt official text, it contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

First draft

This is a first draft. It is built from the official sources listed above, but we have not finished reviewing it. If anything here differs from official advice, follow the official source.