A burglary is often described as being a violation. And it's a good word for it because it's not just about what is physically taken, it's about what is emotionally done to the person being robbed. I had suffered no physical assault, but when I sat down to describe what I could to the police over a strong cup of tea, I felt as though I'd been beaten up.The upset wasn't to do with the things that had been stolen - most of that is replaceable and insured, it wasn't the ransacking of personal property, or the time-consuming pain of having to fill out claim forms. It was more the unsettling questions that the burglary had stirred up: What if they'd been armed? What if they come back? Why did this happen?There was a fear that lingered long after the thieves have fled. Even when writing this on the laptop that wasn't stolen I was more conscious of noises coming from the street, suspicious of a person walking a little too slowly up my road. I even bolted the door. I can get all the super-duper alarm systems I like, but will they take away my fear? I'm angry at those thieves for taking my things but I'll be more annoyed if they rob me of my peace.