Inside horror ‘pro hit’ on Kurt Zouma’s home by ‘organised gang’ who blindsided security to steal £100k in jewels & cash

NEIGHBOURS of Kurt Zouma have told of their horror after his home was broken into by an “organised gang” who escaped with £100,000 in cash and jewellery.

The “highly professional” masked gang ransacked the held the West Ham captain’s home after striking just before midnight on Saturday while he was at home with his young family.

The break-in led to Zouma missing his team’s 1-1 Prem draw with Crystal Palace on Sunday – and saw cops warning neighbours about the organised gang.

And yesterday, West Ham revealed the club was offering a £25,000 reward for information leading to the gang’s capture.

Zouma, 29 – who is married to wife Sandra, Mum to his four young children – and his family had items of “significant value” and “sentimental importance” stolen from their £3million Essex home, the club said.

And yesterday, neighbours on Zouma’s plush road told The Sun cops warned them the raiders were “no amateurs”.

One neighbour – who was visited by officers on Sunday - said: “We don’t know much about what happened, apart from the fact there was a break-in on Saturday night.

“We heard it was a burglary and the family were home at the time.

“There was one police car outside afterwards but they stayed there with the family for a few hours.

“I think the burglars were quite experienced.

“Officers came round on Sunday and told us that the burglars were professionals. They said we want to tell you that they were not amateurs.

“They said the break-in had been on the ground floor and to watch out for that. We think that they came in through the back garden.

“We have security on this road - a guard that patrols here day and night and he was only parked a few driveways away when the break-in happened.

“He can only see the front so if he didn’t see anything they must have got in through the back.”

In a statement, Zouma’s Club said: “West Ham United has offered a £25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of burglars who broke into defender Kurt Zouma’s home on the eve of the Club’s Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace this weekend.

“Kurt’s home was broken into on Saturday while all his family were in the house, leaving everyone present extremely distressed. While thankfully no one was harmed, it was a traumatic experience for the West Ham United defender, his wife and their young family.

“The burglars took items of significant value and of huge personal and sentimental importance to the family.

“The West Ham United family continue to offer Kurt’s family their full support.”

Police raced to the detached £3million home– on an exclusive street where well-heeled neighbours hire private security – and stayed with the family for hours after Saturday night’s raid.

Last February, The Sun revealed how Zouma has been caught on video slapping and kicking his cat last February – leading to a prosecution.

Ex-Chelsea star issued a grovelling apology for actions after he was handed community service and fined.

In the run-up to the club’s London derby against Palace on Sunday, West Ham said Zouma was unavailable for “personal reasons”.

They did not elaborate on why he was missing from the match – as he stayed away to comfort his family.

One resident on his street said they were not home at the time - but were aware of the break-in and had been warned to “stay vigilant”.

The robbers are understood to have escaped with jewellery including high-end watches.

Zouma – who has 11 caps for France – is married to wife Sandra, who he first met when they were teenagers in Lyon.

They revealed in July they had welcomed their fourth child together.

The £30 million star is the latest in a long line of footballers – including Raheem Sterling, Paul Pogba and Joao Cancelo – to be targeted by professional robbery gangs.

A source said: “This was an extremely worrying attack and left Kurt and his family traumatised.

“They were an aggressive and organised gang – and the house was completely ransacked.

“Kurt and the family were put through a horrific ordeal, and are still struggling to speak about what happened.

“Everyone at the club immediately knew it was incredibly serious – as he would not have missed a game otherwise.

“But the raid is why he was not available on Sunday.

“It is a terrible thing to have happened – and everyone at the club is offering him their full support.

“The player’s family are too scared to stay at the house – and have already talked of needing to move.

“Kurt is a family man and in shock. He is worried about protecting his family.”

West Ham’s Joint Chairman David Sullivan previously put up a £250,000 reward when a burglar broke into his £7.5 million Essex mansion while he was on holiday in In June 2017.

The raider – believed to be the ‘Essex Spiderman’ who had targeted around 50 other properties – is believed to have been scared off by a high-tech alarm system and fled empty-handed.

Last night, Mr Sullivan, 74, urged anyone with information about the burglars who targeted Zouma’s family to come forward.

He said: “First and foremost, the thoughts of everyone connected to West Ham United are with Kurt and his family. To have someone break into your home is a terrifying experience and I hope this reward will help bring the individuals to justice and prevent others from going through a similar ordeal.”

Essex Police told The Sun: “We were called shortly after 11.50pm on Saturday 2 December to reports of a burglary in west Essex.

“It was reported suspects had gained entry to an address, before taking items including jewellery and watches.

“Our investigation into this incident is continuing.”

•Anyone who has any relevant information should email confidential@westhamunited.co.uk with as much detail as possible, which will then be shared with the police.