High value watch, jewellery and bag theft in London drives demand for VIP Secure Shopping Service
A dramatic rise in the frequency of high value watch, jewellery and designer bag thefts across London is being countered by a new door-to-door security service designed to protect wealthy individuals on shopping sprees in the capital.
With over £22m of luxury items stolen on the streets of London over the past two years, including more than 3,000 watches, each with a value over £3,000*, high-net-worth individuals are increasingly targeted by organised and opportunist street criminals.
Launching in May 2026, the new service has been set up by Exeter-based UK Protection Ltd, which specialises in luxury retail manned guarding, covert surveillance, and close protection security to protect high-net-worth individuals from street ambushes.
Recent high-profile victims include Brittny Ward – wife of Jenson Button, Axel Schwan – President of Tim Hortons, Christine Lampard, and BBC Breakfast presenter Ben Thompson.
Earlier this year, Tom Cruise was reported to have quit his luxury £35m Knightsbridge apartment following an armed raid on the nearby Bucherer Rolex Boutique. Less well-known victims include 73-year-old Sunil Chopra who had his £30,000 Patek Philippe timepiece ripped from his wrist near Hyde Park.
Andy Fairbanks, former police officer and CEO of UK Protection, explains: “Criminals are increasingly zeroing in on the wealthy, using extreme violence to steal precious items before making rapid escapes on e-bikes and scooters.
“Focusing on the theft of high value items, these brazen attackers are targeting jewellery and watches, which are easy to conceal and move on. Gems can be separated, precious metals can be melted down, while luxury watches can be rapidly moved across borders, often becoming criminal currency.”
Fairbanks added: “London’s luxury shopping quarters provide easy hunting grounds. As wealthy shoppers exit luxury stores opportunist thieves can swoop, swipe and exit. In an instant, purchases worth thousands of pounds are gone.
“Our VIP luxury secure shopping service counters this with seamless protection from home or hotel to London’s luxury retail districts and back again.”
UK Protection’s long-wheel-based Autobiography Range Rovers provide sophisticated comfort and entertainment. Escorted by highly experienced close protection officers, customers are transported to their retail destination and accompanied throughout to ensure protection every step of their journey. Blending discreetly into the retail environment, UK Protection’s officers use their operational experience to deliver continual situational awareness, protecting both individuals and their assets.
“This takes away the risk and worry of loved ones or clients being targeted as they leave the boutique stores of Mayfair, Bond Street, or Knightsbridge,” says Fairbanks, “protecting them when they move between locations, or if they take the chance to dine out with friends and family.”
Costing £3,000 a day, the VIP secure shopping service includes:
- Pre-planned secure routes and timings
- Discreet escorting between stores and venues
- Secure arrivals and departures at luxury retail locations
- Protection of high-value purchases and personal assets
- Close protection officers trained to the highest professional standards
- Flexible itineraries across London's prime shopping and hotel districts
Aimed at High-Net-Worth individuals, VIPs, international visitors, celebrities, sports personalities, wealthy families on shopping trips, and luxury brands hosting private shopping experiences, the VIP Shopping Service can be booked direct from UK Protection online.
UK Protection is the UK’s leading provider of premium manned guarding to the retail sector, specialising in intelligent, preventative security. Its trained SIA-licensed security officers provide visible deterrence, real-time situational awareness and the ability to respond immediately should an incident occur. Working for leading luxury watch, jewellery and retails brands, UK Protection supports many prestigious clients in the UK including global luxury retailers and flagship stores.
