**If you are in immediate danger:** get to safety and call 999 or 112 first. Everything below can wait.
The first hour after a robbery is disorienting. Adrenaline makes you feel clear-headed when your judgment is not. This is a calm order of operations to follow when your mind is racing.
1. Get safe, and stay safe
Move away from the scene to a place with people, light, and security. Do not chase the people who robbed you. Do not go back for anything you lost.
If it happened at home and you are not certain the intruders have left, do not walk through the house to check. Leave, go to a neighbour or your vehicle, and call for help from there.
Check yourself for injuries. Adrenaline hides pain, so get medical attention even if you feel fine.
2. Call for help
Call 999 or 112. Give your location, what happened, how many people were involved, what they looked like, which way they went, and whether anyone is hurt. Stay on the line until you are told you can hang up.
Then call someone you trust and ask them to come to you. You should not be alone for the next few hours.
3. Leave the scene as it is
Do not tidy up. Do not touch surfaces the robbers may have touched. If you have CCTV, ask whoever manages it to preserve the footage immediately. Many systems record over old footage automatically, and the clip you need can disappear within days.
4. Write it down while it is fresh
Within the hour, write down the time, the number of people, clothing, voices, vehicles, direction of travel, and anything they said. Memory fades fast and quietly rewrites itself.
If others were present, write your account before comparing notes. Shared stories blend together, and details get lost.
5. Lock down your money and identity
This is the step people forget, and it is the one that costs the most if delayed.
- Phone. Contact your network provider to block the SIM and request a replacement. Once you have the new SIM, reset your M-Pesa PIN straight away.
- Cards. Call your bank using the number on its website or a statement, and block every card that was taken.
- Accounts. Change passwords for email, banking apps, and social media. Use another device. Use your phone’s remote lock or erase feature if it is enabled.
- Keys. If house or car keys were taken, change the locks and have the car’s access re-keyed. Do not assume you have time.
- ID. If your ID or documents were taken, report the loss. Watch for any attempt to use your identity.
- Phone IMEI. Find it on the box, the receipt, or your account records. Police may ask for it.
6. Report it and get your OB number
Go to the nearest police station and report the incident. Ask for the OB (Occurrence Book) number. You will need it for insurance claims, replacing documents, and getting a SIM or bank card reissued. Keep a copy somewhere safe.
7. Take care of yourself
Shaking, a racing heart, poor sleep, and feeling jumpy are normal responses to a frightening event. Talk to someone you trust. If these feelings last more than a few weeks or get worse, speak to a professional. Seeking support is a sign of good judgment, not weakness.
8. After the first hour: close the gap
Within the week, look honestly at how it happened. Not to blame yourself, but to find the pattern.
- Was there a predictable routine? A fixed route? A moment when you were distracted or stationary?
- Was there a weak point at the gate, the lighting, a door, or a staff arrangement?
- Had you shared your location or movements publicly?
A single stolen phone is an event. A route, a habit, or a gap that made you easy to target is a pattern. Fixing the lock without fixing the pattern leaves you exposed to the next attempt.
A professional post-incident review can identify what drew attention to you and what to change. If you would like one, you can request a confidential briefing.
FAQ
Should I fight back during a robbery?
Property can be replaced, and people cannot. Security professionals generally advise compliance when a weapon is involved, because resistance raises the risk of serious harm. This is general guidance, and every situation is different.
Should I post about it on social media?
Wait. Share the details with the police first. Posting early can compromise an investigation and may signal to others where and when you were vulnerable.
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