Terrified locals in a billionaire row are using sniffer dogs, 24/7 CCTV and private security to stop the copycats after a £10.4million cash heist.
Avenue Street in Camden, Londonalso known as 'Billionaire's Row', has a reputation for being one of the most expensive streets in the UK.
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Shafira Huang, social media influencer and art collectorCarrying a £150,000 Hermes Crocodile Kelly bag, £15,000 in cash and £10.4m worth of custom-made jewelery, she was kidnapped from her home on December 7.
Despite CCTV footage of the thief, he has not yet been arrested, after the robbery that took place on December 7, 2024.
Now residents are upping their security game and protecting themselves, but they say there's only one thing to blame.
Walking along the wide avenue Houses Sitting behind high gates, loaded with surveillance cameras.
The road itself is busy as it connects nearby Swiss Cottage Tube station to Regent's Park.
Although the surrounding roads appear quiet, a group of security guards are scanning the area.
It serves as a reminder of the wealth that surrounds us, coupled with high crime rates.
Large signs saying, “Beware of the Guide.” dog“24-hour CCTV footage” is also appearing in almost every home.
Local resident Sarah Jane, 55, told The Sun that crime was worrying, but having a dog made her feel safer.
“You have to be wise and reasonable,” she said. “But it's still scary.”
One local resident, Kumreu Iwukwamsi, 70, came face to face with a thief in her home.
Ms Eokuamci has lived on Avenue Road for 40 years.
She said: They are [burglars] He came from this house [she points] And jumped off neighbor Garden in mine.
“When I walked into the kitchen, they were [burglars] They were trying to break through the kitchen door.
“It was only eight o'clock in the evening. When… [the burglar] He saw me, he ran. “I called the police, and they came, but the back door to my house was already broken.”
“The situation is very dangerous here,” she added.
Lloyds Bank data indicates that homes in this area are sold for around £15.5 million.
Meanwhile, Ms Huang's home is currently on the market for just under £60 million.
It features “spacious living spaces,” security cameras, a passenger elevator, two kitchens, 10 bedrooms and underground parking.
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The man who burglarized Ms Huang's home is also said to have gone undetected by up to eight of the household's staff, MailOnline reports.
For Jerry, 55, who has lived in the area for 40 years, the latest robbery shows the negative consequences of social media and “excessive wealth”.
He said: How do people have this amount of wealth and leave it scattered? Surely this could be better distributed to those who have less?
“It's an indication of where society has gone wrong. We were just talking about stratospheric excursions on these properties.
“It's always been about the rich, but now it's not Uber Rich people, they have private securities and everything.
“We live in a very polarized community, with council flats there.
“I feel for the family, but it's also amazing that you have so much wealth scattered around and that hundreds of people are homeless in Camden Town.”
With equal fury, Lee, 45, believes “social media is the root of all evil” and is responsible for this major money heist.
“In the specific case on Avenue Road, if someone is flaunting their wealth on Instagram, they are literally creating a shop window for thieves as if to say ‘come and take it,'” he said.
“I think there's a generation of people who are on TikTok and Instagram and Snapchat who are trying to create better realities for their lives,” he said.
“This is the world of platforms but it is not the real world. Social media is the root of all evil.”
Two young women walking toward Avenue Road explained how they had lived in the area for years.
Despite their love of the area, they say social media exacerbates crime rates.
Scarlett, 32: “I think Avenue Road is notorious for crime because the houses are so big but I don't think it helps with social media.
“You have to be careful about what you document besides having people follow you home.
Lauren, 32: “It's dangerous now in London and everywhere.
“This is obviously a target area because there are big houses and there are a lot of wealthy people around the area but you just have to be aware.”
Kamran, 58 years old, visitor from Dubai But the current resident of Avenue Road said: “Whoever broke into this house must have known he was keeping valuables in the house, but in general, security is very high in this area.”
For many locals, the rise of social media and a new wave of residents have contributed to an increase in crimes targeting high-net-worth individuals.
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