Premier League Stars in the Crosshairs of Organised Crime
Professional footballers and their families in the UK are facing a terrifying wave of sophisticated burglaries orchestrated by organised crime gangs. These criminal groups specifically target the luxury homes of Premier League players, stealing high-value items like watches and jewellery that are later used as currency in illegal trades for drugs and firearms.
The gangs, which include members linked to the feared Dublin-based 'Gucci Gang', meticulously plan their raids. They conduct extensive reconnaissance by monitoring the social media accounts of players and their partners, identifying expensive possessions before assembling teams of thieves to execute million-pound robberies.
The Burglary Blueprint: How the Gangs Operate
These career criminals have developed a calculated approach to targeting footballers' properties. They specifically choose domestic burglaries over other crimes because they carry lower sentences than armed bank robberies, making them a lower-risk, high-reward enterprise.
The thieves typically strike when homes are occupied, knowing that security systems are often disengaged. They arrive in groups with lookouts and getaway drivers positioned outside, enabling them to flee within minutes of completing their thefts. Using telescopic ladders to access upper floors, they immediately target master bedrooms and walk-in dressing rooms where players commonly store their most valuable items.
Once the raid is complete, the criminals employ goods dealers to verify the authenticity of their stolen haul before transporting it to Ireland. The stolen items are frequently driven to Scotland before crossing the Irish Sea to reach the Gucci Gang in Dublin.
High-Profile Victims and Traumatic Ordeals
England and Manchester City star Jack Grealish and his partner Sasha Attwood were among recent victims, suffering a devastating £1 million loss when thieves raided their Cheshire mansion in December 2023. The break-in occurred while Attwood and ten family members were watching Grealish play for Manchester City inside their £5.6 million property near Knutsford.
The experience left the footballer 'traumatised', with Grealish later expressing on Instagram: 'I can't begin to explain how devastated I am. My family means the world to me and nothing is more important than ensuring their safety.' Despite the severity of the crime, police eventually dropped the case after failing to identify any suspects.
Other prominent footballers have fallen victim to similar attacks. Former Liverpool and Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and his partner, Little Mix's Perrie Edwards, had their Cheshire home burgled in 2022. The same year, Molly-Mae Hague and boxer Tommy Fury lost £800,000 worth of possessions in a robbery at their Manchester apartment.
In a particularly frightening incident, Raheem Sterling confronted masked burglars armed with a knife to protect his children during a break-in at his home. The Manchester City winger had previously lost £300,000 of valuables during a burglary while he was in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.
The Criminal Network and Security Countermeasures
The criminal operation extends beyond UK borders, with the stolen goods ultimately reaching the Gucci Gang - a criminal syndicate led by the imprisoned Glen Ward, who has connections to the notorious Kinahan cartel. Ward, known as 'Mr Flashy' for his preference for designer clothing, is currently serving a five-and-a-half year sentence for firing a semi-automatic gun at a Dublin house party.
A criminal source explained to The Sun: 'These are career criminals who know the risks of being arrested for a domestic burglary are a lot lower than for an armed robbery. They are well organised and not afraid to hook up with Albanian criminals who are experts in carrying out reconnaissance.'
In response to the growing threat, Premier League clubs and players have invested heavily in security measures. Multiple clubs, including Manchester United, have hired dedicated security teams to guard players' homes, while some stars maintain round-the-clock mobile response units.
Players are implementing sophisticated protection systems including:
- Panic rooms costing hundreds of thousands of pounds
- Virtual perimeters using geofencing technology
- Live-in bodyguards and house sitters
- Trained attack dogs such as Alsatians and Rottweilers
Newcastle United's Alexander Isak reportedly spent £30,000 on a Dobermann guide dog after professional Italian thieves travelled to Newcastle specifically to rob him of £10,000 in cash, £68,000 worth of jewellery, and his £120,000 Audi RS6.
Despite these extensive precautions, the burglaries continue. Gillingham midfielder Bradley Dack and model Olivia Attwood experienced their third home burglary in July, prompting them to sell their property and relocate. The persistent threat demonstrates the sophisticated nature of these criminal operations and the ongoing security challenge facing high-profile footballers and their families.
