21 December 2023 , 12:07
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Premier League players have reportedly installed wide-ranging security measures to prevent being targeted by gangs who look to raid their homes.
A number of top-flight stars, including Victor Lindelof, Reece James and Raheem Sterling, have been raided in recent times, while Paul Pogba, Joao Cancelo and Jesse Lingard have also been targeted. Kevin de Bruyne became the latest Premier League footballer to be affected, as his home in Belgium was reportedly wrecked by burglars on Saturday, according to Belgian outlet HLN.
However, there are concerns that more burglaries may happen and Premier League players are on high alert. According to the Daily Mail, organised groups - who often originate from Albania - are eyeing up expensive individuals in the United Kingdom, including top-flight stars. Security forces have spotted the danger and are putting measures in place to try and minimise the damage.
The Mail report that a number of players have spent 'hundreds of thousands' on panic rooms, which are effectively steel boxes and feature secure lines and panic alarms. They will work even if outside wires are cut. Virtual perimeters, known as geofencing, are also commonly used.
Meanwhile, some players have live-in bodyguards to help protect their homes while they are out. For those especially in Europe, house sitters have become commonplace. Several thousands have also been spent on guard dogs, known as 'protection dogs' and often include Alsatians and Rottweilers.
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Premier League players are supposedly being targeted by foreign gangs (Getty Images)Stars have been told not to post images on social media of holidays or them visiting other places, until they have returned home, and have been sent letters over ways to reduce the likelihood of being targeted.
It's also been claimed that the growth in women's football has triggered further worries over the presence of stalkers. Some players have been followed home by their own supporters after losses, while 'spotters' are forking out high-end jewellers to identify targets across the country.
Manchester United, meanwhile, have turned to specialist ex-bodyguards, who have experience protecting the royal family and global leaders, to help out. Checks are now carried out on hotels ahead of away matches, while train stations are also being looked at closer for security reasons.