Beautiful Virgin Islands

Saturday, Jul 05, 2025

How do the rich and famous protect their homes?

How do the rich and famous protect their homes?

With the jailing on Friday of one man for burglary at the home of ex-footballer Ashley Cole - in which he and his partner were bound with cable ties - how are wealthy homeowners fighting back to defend their homes?

Holland Park in west London has been described as a hotbed of activity for criminals

"We're in high demand that's for sure," says John Moore, who heads up Westminster Security, a private security firm protecting homes in affluent areas like Holland Park.

The area of Kensington, where white stucco-fronted villas sell for millions, has become a "real hotbed of criminal activity", said Mr Moore.

"It is namely high-end burglaries, the criminal gangs are very professional and they're travelling from overseas, targeting properties and getting out of the country quickly.

"Literally every other night there is an incident... characters hanging about at three o'clock in the morning, clearly up to no good.

"It's really full on at the moment."

The home of former England captain David Beckham and his fashion designer wife Victoria was burgled while they were inside with their 10-year-old daughter. The Metropolitan Police said a number of items were reported to have been stolen.

It followed the 2019 burglary of Formula 1 heiress Tamara Ecclestone's mansion nearby in which an Italian gang of jewellery thieves stole hundreds of items of jewellery, cash, diamonds and precious stones worth £25m.

Mr Moore said his employees come across people carrying out reconnaissance - taking pictures of CCTV, gates and vehicles at people's homes.

"They'll go over gates and try front doors," he said. "They're that blatant they've got no shame, they just crack on."


'Manned security is expensive'


So how much does it cost wealthy home owners, many of whom spend extended periods away, to have manned security 24/7 all-year-round at their home?

Mr Moore estimated a rough figure of £250,000 to £500,000 a year - but the cost of security is a tax-deductible expense if the threat originates from someone's employment.

He explained: "There is no denying that manned security is expensive.

"A lot of clients see it as investment, so they're investing in the safety and security of their family."

Social media influencer Molly-Mae Hague reportedly lost £800,000 worth of belongings in a raid on her Manchester flat last year


Social media influencer Molly-Mae Hague increased her security after reportedly losing £800,000 worth of belongings last year in a burglary at the Manchester apartment she shared with her boxer boyfriend, Tommy Fury.

The former Love Island contestant said the raid was "without a doubt the worst thing that's happened to me" in a teary YouTube video.

The 22-year-old said posting pictures of her glamorous lifestyle on social media might have tipped the balance between her security and sharing her life with followers.

She has since decided posting house tours on social media is an "absolute no-go", reportedly stopped ordering takeaways to her home, and admitted she has lost her interest in expensive jewellery and clothes which could "compromise" her safety.


'A dog can not be bribed'


A number of celebrities have enlisted the help of four-legged friends to protect their homes, including rapper Stormzy and footballers Jack Grealish and Jesse Lingard.

Robert Metcalfe, who runs Personal Protection Dogs in Nottingham, trains family dogs to protect their owners and property.

He also sells personal protection trained German Shepherds worth £10,000 to the likes of models and Arab princes living in London.

Robert supplies German Shepherds as personal protection dogs


"If you a buy a personal protection dog, it can not be bribed," Mr Metcalfe explained. "It's not going to take a backhand and disappear in the night.

"I had an enquiry from a client a week ago and asked the budget.

"They said he doesn't have a budget - his net worth is two billion."

And what happens when a person protection dogs spots an intruder in the grounds? "You want it to bark and deter them," said Mr Metcalfe.


Panic rooms 'are the norm'


In December Premier League footballer Joao Cancelo suffered cuts to the face attempting to fight off a gang of intruders at this home.

The 27-year-old said "four cowards who hurt me and tried to hurt my family" took all his jewellery in the raid.

Cancelo revealed he had been attacked via Instagram in December


The rich and famous are turning to installing panic rooms over fears of being in a house with an intruder.

TV star Gemma Collins told her BBC podcast last year she had panic rooms installed in her Essex house, reportedly worth £1.3m. The Only Way Is Essex cast member previously came face-to-face with burglars escaping her previous flat in 2015.

Paul Weldon, who runs the Panic Room Company, says panic rooms now "seem to be the norm" when large houses are built. His clients include footballers.

"When architects ask what clients want in their house, they're like sauna, football pitch, cinema room," he said. "We find safe rooms are on that list more and more."

A basic panic room can cost around £40,000, he said. They can be hidden behind false walls, mirrors and even shoe racks.

So how does it work when a burglar is trying to get into someone's home whilst they are inside?

Mr Weldon said: "The general house we're talking about here has some good alarm protection, so you get notifications there's some sort of activity outside.

"So the client can get themselves locked in a safe area with good communication.

"So in that room there will be a link to the CCTV and they can call for assistance from their security team or the police."

Although enquiries for panic rooms has been eclipsed by the demand for safe rooms for a very different threat.

"The nuclear shelter side of the business has absolutely taken off," he said.

Panic rooms can be disguised by false walls, mirrors and shoe racks


But where are the police in all of this? Surely the rich and famous too should be able to rely on the police to deter criminals?

Mr Moore, a former soldier before joining the private security industry, said: "A lot of people will slag the police off, and say why should people have to pay for private security when we've got the police?

"We're lucky in London there is a high concentration of police and they are very good at turning up at short notice and being there when required.

"There will always be a requirement for private security even if the police force doubled, because the police can't be on every street corner.

"It's similar to people paying for private healthcare and private schools."

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
×