Police have linked a jewel thief dubbed the “Night Watcher,” responsible for a £10 million string of burglaries targeting wealthy homeowners, to four more burglaries in Kent and London since 2019.

The Night Watcher is suspected of having carried out at least 17 burglaries since 2006. The police had only been able to link him to a series of burglaries in 2017 and has been on a manhunt since then. They believe a possible military background could explain the thief’s meticulous planning, ruthless efficiency and use of cable ties on victims. It is also how he has been able to evade capture. 

The suspect’s most recent known attack occurred in 2021 in a burglary at a Bromley residence located on the Keston Park estate. In addition, police believe the Night Watcher is responsible for three other burglaries in the Tonbridge area of Kent between 2020 and 2022. Since his last burglary, this gap potentially marked the longest gap between his offences since 2009.

Police believe the “Night Watcher” operates solo and chooses isolated properties in affluent areas. He conducts hostile reconnaissance on expensive properties to get to know their layouts, the occupants’ movements and where valuables are kept, police say.

He has targeted properties in Kingswood and Virginia Water in Surrey, Maidenhead in Berkshire, Sevenoaks and Maidstone in Kent, and even Lord March’s Goodwood estate in West Sussex.

“Kent Police is [investigating] a series of five burglaries between November 2016 and January 2022 where isolated properties have been targeted,” a spokesperson said. “It is reported that on each occasion a lone offender threatened victims in order to steal cash and high-value possessions including jewellery and watches.”

In a statement, Kent Police detailed the modus operandi of the Night Watcher, revealing that the victims were threatened with a firearm and restrained with cable ties and ropes. Their investigation has entailed extensive analysis of any available CCTV footage and thorough forensic examination of each crime scene.

“Officers are also continuing to work closely with other police forces, where similar burglaries have taken place,” they said.

List of victims

The victims of the “Night Watcher” extend beyond affluent homeowners to include high-profile figures. Among them are the Duke and Duchess of Richmond, who were targeted in their stately home, Goodwood House, in West Sussex in 2016. The duke sustained a blow to the head with a blunt instrument after the thief gained entry through an upstairs window. 

During the robbery, they were bound and forced to surrender irreplaceable valuables totalling around £700,000, which include a diamond ring crafted in 1820 and valued at over £400,000 and an emerald ring with royal provenance, once belonging to King Charles II. 

His list of targets also includes former tennis champion Boris Becker and French ex-footballer Nicolas Anelka.

In 2017, the Night Watcher broke into the home of Susan Morris, 61, while her husband was away. The assailant forced entry into their Kingswood home, then dragged her through the house by her hair. Upon returning, her husband found Susan bound in their bedroom with a broken jaw. The attack left Susan not only physically injured but also deeply traumatised.

During his most recent attack, two women were injured and required hospital treatment, The Mirror reported. 

Fortifying home security

The Night Watcher case underscores the increased risk of targeted burglaries for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and emphasises the need for comprehensive security assessments and preventative measures.

HNWIs can fortify their house’s security with the help of security firms like Marengo. Through comprehensive security assessments, they identify vulnerabilities around your property and create a tailored plan to mitigate them. Whether implementing the latest surveillance technology, reinforcing entry points, or even deploying on-site personnel, they can provide a multi-layered approach to safeguarding your prized assets and giving you peace of mind.