Burglary
Burglary – Criminal Injuries And Compensation
If you have been burgled in your home, and were injured through violence or otherwise, you may be entitled to receive compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. To find out more about what you are entitled to claim for, feel free to speak to a Personal Injury Bureau solicitor who will be happy to advise you on how best to proceed towards the best possible financial settlement. Or read on for information about burglary and the compensation process.
I Was Burgled. Can I Get Compensation?
To compensate for distress and injury incurred following a burglary many people wonder what the compensation options are. Apart from your insurance policy there is no automatic source of compensation for those who have experienced their homes being burgled.
However, if the burglar is taken to court and convicted they may be ordered to pay you some compensation. You should be informed by the police when the criminal is caught and charged with the burglary and what the outcome of the court case is. If violence was used against you during the burglary you may be entitled to Criminal Injuries Compensation.
It does not matter whether the offender has been caught, if you have been injured as a result of a violent incident during a burglary, you still could be entitled to compensation via the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is the government body responsible for administering the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme in England, Scotland and Wales.
What Is A Burglary?
A burglary is when an intruder has entered or attempted to enter a domestic, commercial or any other property stealing or attempting to steal property. Aggravated burglary is when an intruder has entered a dwelling as a trespasser to steal or commit grievous bodily harm, armed with a firearm, weapon or explosive. Any owner of a property is at potential risk of being burgled. However, the risk of being a victim of domestic burglary has halved since 1995.
Offenders used violence in about a tenth of all burglaries between 1997 and 1999. Burglary, one of the most reported crimes, is one of the Home Office’s eight major crime groupings along with criminal damage, drug offences, fraud, robbery, sexual offences, vehicle and other theft and violent crimes.
Major Points and Methods Of Entry For Burglars
About half of incidents burglars gain or try to gain entry from the front of a dwelling. In the other half they approach the rear.
Burglars are most likely to target doors, usually by forcing a lock. Breaking door panels, forcing window locks and breaking glass in windows were also relatively common methods of entry. However, in many case burglars enter through an unlocked door or open window.
In some cases the use of false pretences is used to gain access to the home, especially with the elderly, otherwise known as distraction burglary. In any of these cases if you have been violently injured you could receive compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
Burglary Stats
Home Office figures show between 1997 and 1999 the total number of burglaries fell significantly, by 21 per cent. This follows a non-significant fall of 7% between 1995 and 1997. These recent falls reverse the trend of increasing levels of burglary during the 1980s and early 1990s, and the estimated number of burglaries in 1999 is below that in 1991.
Offenders used violence in about a tenth of all burglaries (9%). Analysis of previous figures indicates that in many incidents involving violence the offender had some prior relationship with the victim.
Remember, if you have been subjected to violence in circumstances like this you could receive a personal injury compensation award under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. To find out more speak to a legal advisor who will be glad to help you.
