What to do if…
your car window is shattered and you need to secure the vehicle

What to do now

1. Make the safety call first. If the damage is happening now, someone is nearby and threatening you, or anyone is in immediate danger, call 999. If it is not an emergency, report it on 101 or through the relevant police online reporting route.
2. Tell the place where you parked, if there is one. If you are in a managed car park, workplace, station car park, hotel, private car park, or residential car park, tell security or management. Ask them to log the incident and preserve any CCTV for the likely time window.
3. Check the car without putting your hands inside. Look for obvious injury, blood, a child seat covered in glass, a door that will not latch, a damaged lock, or missing items. If anyone is seriously hurt, get urgent medical help.
4. Photograph before touching. Take wide photos of the whole vehicle and surroundings, then close-ups of the broken window, glass pattern, door frame, lock area, any tool marks, and anything obviously missing. Include nearby signs or landmarks if they help show where the car was parked.
5. Report it and record the reference. Keep the report simple: where the car was parked, when you last saw it undamaged, what is broken, and what seems to be missing. Write down the crime or incident reference number if one is given.
6. Make a quick missing-items list. Note bags, electronics, keys, payment cards, ID, work passes, tools, and anything with your address on it. If cards, keys, passes, or ID were taken, prioritise blocking or cancelling them once the car is not exposed.
7. Secure the car with the least extra damage. If you can move it without blocking your view or making the vehicle unsafe, put it somewhere more visible and well lit, such as near staffed premises. If you need to cover the opening, use heavy plastic on the outside where possible and tape lightly to trim or frame areas rather than paintwork. Keep mirrors, lights, reflectors, windows needed for vision, and number plates clear.
8. Clear only what is needed for locking or a short safe move. Use gloves and a brush, dustpan, or cardboard to move glass away from the driver’s seat, pedals, handbrake, gear selector, and seatbelt buckle. Do not do a full clean until photos are taken and you know whether your insurer or repairer wants anything left as it is.
9. Start the repair or claim route. If it is a leased, company, hire, or fleet vehicle, contact the lease company, employer, hire company, or fleet contact before authorising repairs. Otherwise, contact your insurer, breakdown provider, or a vehicle glass repairer and ask whether they require an approved repairer or the police reference.