Inside the crime wave sweeping stars’ homes as experts reveal why celebs like Charlotte Crosby are hit by machete raids
EXPERTS have revealed why some of our favourite celebrities homes are being targeted by thieves after a wave of property break-ins this year.
Just last week Charlotte Crosby, 34, and fiance Jake Ankers' family home in Sunderland was broken into while they were inside.
He said: "Reality stars and influencers often face a unique and pressing challenge.
More on Charlotte Crosby
"Their brand relies heavily on sharing their lives online, and this becomes especially amplified during the festive season.
"Lavish displays of Christmas decorations, expansive home tours, and snapshots of luxury lifestyles not only boost engagement but also maintain the aspirational image that their audience craves.
"However, this level of transparency can come at a high cost.
"The festive period is one of the riskiest times for individuals who share personal details online.
"By posting their extravagant decorations or showcasing their homes, these influencers may inadvertently reveal critical details, such as home layouts, high-value items, and even their whereabouts.
"For criminals, this kind of content can serve as a detailed blueprint, providing all the information needed to target their properties."
Not only that, when they share that they are away, that means that people know that they are currently not in their house.
He continued: "Another common issue arises when influencers showcase their travels. While jet-setting content fuels engagement, it also signals to potential thieves that their homes are vacant.
"Combining this with earlier posts showcasing valuables can turn a harmless reel or photo carousel into a how-to guide for break-ins."
So the expert posed the question of how they can share their lives online, but make sure that they are safe.
James said: "This creates a troubling dilemma: how can these public figures maintain their online presence and continue to grow their platforms without compromising their safety?
"There’s no simple answer.
"While some influencers take measures such as posting travel content after returning home or avoiding geo-tagging locations, many still overlook these safeguards.
"It’s a growing concern that reflects the darker side of social media fame—where the need for constant visibility and engagement often conflicts with personal security.
"Ultimately, this issue serves as a reminder for anyone sharing content online, not just influencers, to think carefully about the information they’re putting out.
Celebrities who have hired protection dogs
Charlotte Crosby
The Geordie Shore star tightened the security around her mansion after it was broken into in November 2024.
She let fans know she has security dogs, man guards and 24/7 surveillance.
Dan Osborne and Jac Jossa
The former Towie star bought a guard dog after fears his family could have been targeted in their £1.2m home in 2021.
He was pictured with the rottweiler in April that year.
Katie Price
Katie revealed she has stepped up her security by getting a new guard dog after her car was attacked with acid.
Kate and Rio Ferdinand
Back in August 2020 the couple splashed out £40k on two highly-trained protection dogs.
A source told The Sun Online that the couple bought the pooches to protect their family, with the pair expecting their first baby together later this year.
Kerry Katona
Back in April 2022, Kerry showed off TWO huge £40k Rottweiler dogs after her son Max was savaged.
Kerry first got a protection dog in 2021 but was forced to send him back after he savaged her son Max’s arm.
Stormzy
Back in 2018 the rapper splashed out on a £15k Rottweiler.
The grime MC – who was stabbed three times before becoming famous – turned to security experts Chaperone K9 in a bid to protect himself and then-girlfriend Maya Jama.
Tyson Fury
In June 2022 the boxer bought a ‘£20,000 top security dog’ to help protect family home along with wife Paris and their kids.
"Whether it’s adjusting privacy settings, limiting details about locations, or working with security professionals to minimise risks, proactive steps can make a significant difference.
"These stars are savvy enough to know what their audience want as well as the type of content that social media platforms thrive on for engagement, which is extravagance and lavishness - whether that be of their house, lifestyle and even their christmas decorations, which we have already seen or are about to in the coming weeks.
"Content like this is a powerful way of attracting and retaining followers, which then translates into brand collaborations and paid work.
"The issue is that we don't have the ability of verify our followers and too often criminals are finding this sort of content to be a valuable tool for them to target.
"I would urge reality stars not to see this sort of content as being harmless and look at the potential danger.
"There are ways of sharing content without it compromising security and privacy and I often bring awareness to the risks with my celebrity clients as well as provide training in social media use which does include strategic sharing practices, such as posting about trips away after they've occurred rather than in real-time.
"But there is not that training when people start accounts on these platforms.
"I can see why it might be easy for reality TV stars to not constantly be thinking of the safety aspect of it, especially when they are gaining the dopamine hit via the engagement on their posts doing well."
Let's take a look at some of the most recent break-ins that have happened...
Charlotte Crosby
On Thursday 21st November 2024 a gang of masked robbers armed with machetes stormed inside her Sunderland home, while they were in with their two-year-old daughter Alba.
Her fiancé Jake Ankers revealed what happened on his Instagram story, saying he tried to chase the thugs outside their house but failed to nab them after the horror ordeal.
Jake said: "I can't believe I'm saying this but some little c**** tried to rob my house with my two-year-old and my partner who is nearly eight months pregnant, armed with a machete.
"I am f****** amazed I chased all four of them but I could not catch them. If anyone has got any information please message me immediately. One of them was wearing a red balaclava."
Charlotte, who is pregnant with her second child, and Jake have since hired security to make sure that they are safe.
Just days after their scary ordeal, mum-to-be Charlotte was rushed to hospital, where it was revealed this afternoon that she had a urine infection.
Charlotte - who bought the property in 2021 - also shared how the burgulary has gotten to her and how she's been coping, just hours before seeking medical assistance.
She said on her Snapchat story: "Guys I honestly don't even know where to start with what's been going on in the last 48 hours.
"Words can't even describe the fear we have been living in! I never in my life want to go through that ever again!
"I don't even want to relive it."
Chloe Ferry
Another Geordie Shore star who has been targeted by thieves is Chloe, 29.
The reality star broke down in tears in September as she moved out of her stunning property because she "didn't feel safe" there anymore.
Speaking to The Sun earlier this year, Chloe revealed: "Someone tries to rob my house all the time. Last month has been the longest month when no one has tried to rob it.
"I’ve got gates on my property, because it’s been that bad, because they’re climbing over my gates, we’ve put spikes on the gates but since I’ve put spikes on they haven’t been back.";
She continued: "It was really bad at one point when they were coming twice a week.
"But I’ve got gates luckily, but they started jumping over the gates but luckily touch wood they haven’t come back."
Chloe bought the property back in 2021.
Not only that, Chloe was left shaking as thieves broke into her salon and stole everything last year.
Davide Sanclimenti
Davide - who shot to fame on Love Island in 2022 - was left devastated after revealing there has been a burglary at his LA home in August.
The star moved over to the US for a fresh start earlier this year.
He claimed on his Instagram story that '£1m of valuables' were taken in the raid.
Davide said: "I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has displayed their concern and DMing me and asking why I have been quiet over socials.
"As you all know I'm living in LA atm.
"Our home got broken into and was robbed of nearly $1.2m worth of precious and personal belongings gone within six minutes..."
Jacqueline Jossa
EastEnders favourite Jacqueline feared armed intruders had snatched one of her kids in a raid on her holiday villa in August.
Jac, husband Dan Osborne and their children went to Marbella in the summer to enjoy some family time together.
The soap star saw two men in balaclavas rifling through her belongings — and feared one was carrying one of her children as he fled.
She had £20,000 worth of jewels and cash stolen in the break-in.
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Jac told The Sun on Sunday: “I was trembling and couldn’t really speak as I was the most scared I’ve ever been in my life and instantly thought, ‘Oh my God! The kids!’.
“‘Did he have a child in his hand? Did I see a little girl’s leg?’ I couldn’t think straight and was panicking.”