What to do after a break-in in Toronto
The first hour matters, and it is stressful. Here is what to do in order, who to call in Toronto, and a form that turns what you know into a report for police and your insurer.
The first hour, in order
- Get safeIf a door is open or a window is broken and you are not sure the house is empty, stay out and call 911 from outside.
- Call the policeUse 911 if it is happening or just happened. If the person is gone, use the non-emergency line below and ask for a file number.
- Leave things as they areDo not tidy up or wipe surfaces until police say you can. Fingerprint powder, if used, can be cleaned up afterwards.
- Photograph everythingTake photos or video of every room, the damage and the point of entry before you move anything.
- List what is missingWrite down each item with its make, model, serial number and rough value. Receipts and photos help. The form below builds this list for you.
- Save any footageIf you have a camera or doorbell, download the clips now, because some cameras overwrite older recordings.
- Secure the homeBoard up or repair the entry point, change locks if keys were taken, and tell your landlord or property manager if you rent.
- Call your insurerInsurers commonly ask for the police file number or report, so have it ready.
- Protect your identityIf cards, ID or devices were taken, contact your bank and the agencies that issued the ID, and change passwords on any device that was taken.
Who to call in Toronto
Toronto Police Service
Call 911 if someone may still be inside, or you have just seen them leave.
Non-emergency: 416-808-2222 from a landline, or *TPS (*877) from a mobile phone. Toronto Police says it takes all reports of crime on the non-emergency line, and its online form is for lesser matters like property damage under $5,000, so call about a break-in.
Contact details were checked against each police service's own website in October 2026. Numbers change, so confirm on the police website if a call does not connect.
Build your incident summary
Fill in what you know. The summary updates as you type. Nothing is sent or saved: it stays on this page, so copy or print it before you leave.
Your summary · estimated total $0
How often this happens in Toronto
You are not alone, and it helps to know the numbers. We publish police break-in data for every province, territory and state, and for neighbourhoods in four cities.
When you are ready to cover the gaps
Do this after the urgent steps, not before. Wire-free cameras can go up in an afternoon without drilling through walls to run cables.
A camera does not stop a break-in by itself. It records what happens and lets you know. If you rent or live in a condo, check your lease or building rules before mounting anything.
Common questions
Should I go inside if the door is open?
If you cannot be sure the home is empty, no. Stay outside, move somewhere safe and call 911. Police can check the home before you go in.
Do I need a police report for my insurance claim?
Insurers commonly ask for a police file number or report. Ask police for the file number when you report, and give it to your insurer when you call.
Can I clean up before the police come?
It is better to wait until police say you can. Photograph the scene first, then clean up once they have finished.
What if I find more missing items later?
Tell the police service that took your report and quote your file number, so the report can be updated. Tell your insurer too.