The off-pitch risk – Burglars, brokers and the beautiful game

Footballers’ homes have seemingly become targets for aggravated burglaries, with the wealthy athletes’ public schedules and social media visibility exposing them to risks. 

In recent years, prominent UK-based football players have witnessed a raft of aggravated burglaries, with their homes being broken into while they are away at matches.

And while footballers being burgled is not a new phenomenon, the sophistication and frequency of these crimes is escalating.

Just in 2024, burglars raided the home of Manchester City man Jack Grealish and stole £1m in valuables while he was playing against Everton, Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak’s home was targeted while he was at a match and Newcastle team mate Joelinton experienced the same.

In these cases, criminals targeted homes in affluent areas, making off with millions of pounds worth of jewellery, cash and designer items. Similar crimes have also affected celebrities like pop group Little Mix’s Perrie Edwards, former Liverpool player Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and superstar couple David and Victoria Beckham.

Fans may be singing these footballers’ names at stadiums, but players themselves are justifiably worried about their families and homes – with effective insurance protection an important part of alleviating this anxiety. 

This trend isn’t just concerning for footballers either – and highlights a growing challenge for the wider high net worth (HNW) insurance market.

In the public eye 

Aggressive burglaries targeted against footballers and other public celebrities are conducted by organised criminal gangs that exploit players’ public visibility via their careers and social media presence.

Geraint Jones, director of HNW private clients at Broadway Insurance, explained: “High profile people, be it footballers or others in the public eye, are becoming more of a target.

“A lot of this comes back to how these individuals run their lives, particularly with regard to social media and the security they take on board.”

Social media platforms allow criminals to track players’ whereabouts, routines and sometimes even the layout of their homes. Based on the posts that they share publicly, it has become easy for burglars to gain insights into security measures and learn when a player might be away from home.

Sara Bailey, head of private clients at Woodgate and Clark, highlighted the strategy of culprits targeting HNW individuals’ schedules.

She explained: “We have seen [criminals] blatantly, at 10 o’clock in the morning, walking into people’s houses because they know their pattern.”

As well as being able to gather intelligence on footballers, burglars are also aware that items stolen from a footballer’s home, such as watches, jewellery, and designer clothes, hold significant resale value.

Helena Evans, managing director at Criterion Adjuster, added that “underinsurance is fairly topical in the market,” as many individuals fail to account for the full scope of their possessions, from valuable clothing to carpets. This can create financial gaps when it comes to claims following a burglary.

Evans added: “People often only think of valuable pieces when they’re working out sums insured and don’t necessarily take into account general clothes and carpets.”

Jones agreed, adding: “It’s very easy for these individuals to be underinsured if they don’t maintain up-to-date valuations and communicate their purchases properly with their brokers.

“Brokers need to educate clients about the importance of regularly updating their coverage and taking all necessary precautions. This includes managing how they communicate online and being proactive about property security.”

Coverage gaps

HNW insurance policies are designed to cater to the unique needs of affluent individuals, offering coverage for more than just the basics. For footballers, this often means higher coverage limits for personal property and valuables and can include tailored services, such as security assessments.

These policies often extend beyond standard home and contents insurance, covering items that require higher security measures, such as expensive jewellery and artwork.

Kevin Morton, head of Zurich Private Clients, noted: “Having multiple safes in the house is advisable, especially if families have a collection of expensive jewellery. This means clients can spread their risk.”

In the event of an aggravated burglary, many policies offer counselling services to help clients process the trauma and distress associated with being targeted in such a violent manner.

However, Morton added: “It’s important to stay as safe as possible. It’s painful to hand over a precious item, but it’s much better than risking physical harm.”

Yet, despite the protections offered by these policies, some coverage gaps remain. For example, a footballer’s second or holiday home may not be fully protected if it is left unoccupied for extended periods.

Bailey explained: “Most burglaries occur when the properties are empty. Criminals are keen to drill down into how long the property will be unoccupied.”

Preventive measures are key in reducing the incidence of aggravated burglaries. Footballers and other HNW individuals are increasingly turning to bespoke risk management services, which provide on-site assessments and customised recommendations for improving home security.

Brokers also have a role to play here, offering both prevention advice and post-incident support. In the event of a claim, a HNW broker can help clients navigate the claims process, ensuring they receive compensation and assistance after a burglary.

The rise in aggravated burglaries against footballers’ homes highlights a growing trend in the insurance market, especially for HNW individuals. However, these risks can be mitigated with the right policies, security measures and guidance from brokers.

As the threat evolves, so must the response from insurers and brokers to ensure that clients remain adequately protected in an increasingly dangerous environment.