Unrest or rioting near your home: what to do, who to call, and how to claim for damage

First: what the government actually plans for

The National Risk Register 2026 is the government's public list of the most serious risks to the UK. It includes public disorder, and says:

• peaceful protest is not public disorder, and the right to protest is protected in UK law; most UK protests stay peaceful;
• disorder is highly unpredictable. It can follow long-standing grievances or a single incident; the register names the Southport attacks of summer 2024 as an example;
• the worst case it plans for is widespread violent disorder in several areas at the same time, lasting up to seven days;
• disorder events are typically resolved within a few days;
• it scores the likelihood of that worst case as 4 out of 5 (5–25%) over its assessment period, with moderate impact (3 out of 5).

The register doesn't list civil war in the UK as a risk. If you searched for "what to do if civil war breaks out", the honest answer is that the nearest thing the government plans for is local disorder, and the steps below are what helps.

If it's happening near you: the first hour

These steps are our practical advice, based on the official points above.

1. Stay away. Don't go to look, and don't stop to film. Being nearby is how bystanders get hurt or caught up.
2. If it's near your home, stay in. Lock doors, close windows and curtains, and keep away from the front of the house if things are being thrown.
3. Bring people and pets in. Text family where you are.
4. Follow trusted updates: your local police force's social media, local radio and BBC local news. A battery radio helps if mobile data is slow.
5. Call 999 if a crime is happening or someone is in immediate danger (GOV.UK). Use 101 or report online for anything that isn't urgent.
6. Don't share rumours. Unverified posts can make things worse and send people the wrong way.

If you're out when it starts

• Walk away from the crowd, not towards it, and use side streets you know.
• Don't drive through it. Park somewhere safe and wait, or take another route.
• Tell someone where you are and when you expect to be home.
• If you're stuck, go into a shop, café or public building and wait.

Our post on what to do if mobile networks go down has a simple family meeting plan.

Older and vulnerable neighbours

The National Risk Register warns that in extreme cases older people, disabled people and people who need medical care could be put at risk if transport disruption stops them getting medicines or care workers. It also says minority communities may face harassment or hate crime, depending on what triggered the disorder.

What helps:

• Phone, don't knock, if the street isn't safe.
• Keep a buffer of repeat prescriptions so a few days' disruption doesn't matter: see extra repeat prescriptions.
• Agree a street plan with neighbours before anything happens: see prepping with neighbours.

A small "stay in" kit

You don't need anything special. Be Ready's 3-day kit already covers it:

• food that needs no cooking and drinking water for a few days;
• medicines;
• a charged power bank and a battery or wind-up radio;
• a torch;
• cash, in case card machines or shops close;
• copies of documents in a waterproof wallet (useful for insurance claims);
• a first aid kit.

After: damage, insurance and the Riot Compensation Act

1. Report crime to the police and get a crime reference number. GOV.UK's 2011 advice after the riots that year said you need it before you start a compensation claim.
2. Take photos of damage before clearing up, and keep receipts. The Home Office guide lists photos, receipts, invoices, bank statements and builders' estimates as evidence.
3. Claim on your insurance first. The Home Office guide says that if you're insured, you must claim from your insurer first.
4. If you're uninsured or not fully covered, in England and Wales you can claim under the Riot Compensation Act 2016: - send the claim to the police force area where the riot happened; - the deadline is 42 days from the date the riot ends, or 42 days from when your insurer says you're not fully covered; - you can add more evidence within 90 days of the claim being received; - compensation is capped at £1 million per claim; - building owners can claim for structural damage; tenants and occupiers for damaged or stolen contents; some vehicles are covered; - not covered: personal items kept outside a building, loss of trade or rent, and personal injury, which goes to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.

Not every bit of damage during a disturbance counts as riot damage under the Act. The claim decides that.

What we couldn't check

• The Riot Compensation Act applies to England and Wales only. We didn't read the rules for Scotland or Northern Ireland, so check with your insurer or local police there.
• The Home Office claimants' guide was last updated in March 2019. The claims procedure regulations may have changed details; check the current GOV.UK guidance before you claim.
• The "first hour" steps are our advice. We didn't find a UK government page with step-by-step advice for members of the public during disorder.
• The National Risk Register's likelihood score is read from the chart in the PDF (page 209).

Related guides

• A street emergency plan: how neighbours can help each other
• Emergency contacts list template (UK)
• Keeping household documents safe and to hand
• Two weeks of emergency supplies: a sensible extended plan

Free tools

• Make a household emergency plan (free)
• How ready is your home? The 2-minute Ready Check

We're an independent UK site, not the government. We check guides against official sources and link to them. In an emergency call 999.

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