Social media influencer and “Ladies of London” star Juliet Angus recently shared that her extensive handbag collection had been stolen from her London residence, where she lives with her Canadian husband, True Royalty TV CEO Gregor Angus, and two children.

Angus wrote on Instagram, “Twenty-five years of collecting [were] stolen by horrible humans, low-life criminals.” 

The handbag collection had been accumulated over 25 years and contained valuable Hermes pieces, ranging from £900 for a new one to £90,000 for a rare, vintage Birkin in pristine condition. 

The 48-year-old said she was deeply frustrated by the theft, considering the significant financial and emotional investment she had poured into her handbag collection. She has since started rebuilding her collection and posted a recent purchase of Beton 30 Birkin. 

“[I] have to start all over. These bags are expensive, and a lot of work goes into being able to afford just one,” she wrote.

Angus did not reveal the specifics of the burglary, likely due to the ongoing investigation. However, the thieves remain at large, and police have yet to retrieve any stolen possessions.

A growing list of high-profile burglaries in London

Angus joined a growing list of prominent figures impacted by crime in London, as the city witnesses a rise in high-profile burglaries. It has raised serious concerns regarding the safety and security of its residents.

Amir Khan, a former boxing champion, decided against relocating to London last year due to an incident where robbers took his £70,000 diamond-studded Franck Muller watch at gunpoint.

In another instance, music magnate Simon Cowell sold his £15 million mansion near Holland Park last year following multiple break-ins, including one where nearly £1 million worth of jewellery was stolen.

In December 2019, a burglary spree totalling £26 million targeted the London residence of Formula 1 heiress Tamara Ecclestone and England football legend Frank Lampard. Four years later, a man was apprehended in Serbia in connection with the burglary.

According to data retrieved by British data visualiser Plumplot, there were around 55,300 burglary cases reported in the London region from January 2023 to December 2023, representing a 6.5 percent increase compared to the same period in the previous year. This means that, on average, there were 6.4 crimes committed for every 1,000 people who worked in London. 

To add to these concerning figures, approximately 30,403 burglaries in London went unresolved last year, according to Home Office data. Only 2.9 percent of the reported cases between September 2022 and September 2023 led to a suspect being charged, totalling 1,103 cases.

Last year’s national policing guidance emphasised the priority of responding to domestic burglaries within an hour of being reported. Metropolitan Police Commander Owain Richards, head of local policing, ensured an increased officer attendance for investigation, victim support, and advice. Officers would review crime reports to identify patterns and proactively deploy to hotspot areas.

“People should know that if they are burgled, the police will attend the scene and investigate properly. This is what the Met Commissioner has promised,” Richards said.

How to keep safe 

With these data in mind, high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) residing in London should prioritise implementing effective home security measures to safeguard their belongings and loved ones.

Ensuring home safety involves more than just locking doors and windows. Consider upgrading or installing a comprehensive home security system that includes CCTV, motion detectors, and alarms. It is advised to strengthen doors with durable materials and advanced locks and enhance windows with anti-shatter and privacy films. If necessary, deploy guard dogs to scare potential intruders.

Security firms such as Marengo can offer security plans for HNWI residences. They assess security vulnerabilities, create bespoke plans, and implement necessary enhancements for each residence. Additionally, these firms can provide security personnel to guard the premises and accompany clients during daily activities.