Tom Cruise leaves £35m London apartment after armed Rolex store raid

Hollywood star Tom Cruise has decided to leave his luxury apartment worth £35 million in One Hyde Park, London, after feeling that the area is no longer safe, following an armed attack on a Rolex store beneath the building.

The Bucherer store was targeted by six armed robbers who stole Rolex watches, prompting the 63-year-old actor to fear for his personal safety and decide to return to the United States, according to a source close to Cruise speaking to the media.

The attackers used machetes, large and small hammers, and a tool to smash thick glass, intimidating security guards and seizing around 20 luxury watches.

The raid lasted just three minutes before the gang escaped on motorcycles.

The source added: “The violent attack confirmed the lack of sufficient security around luxury apartments in London. He used to enjoy walking around the area, but he feels the city has become less safe over the past two years.”

Tom Cruise’s Luxury Lifestyle and Sudden Change

Cruise was well known for his morning runs in Hyde Park, located directly opposite his apartment, and for flying by helicopter from Battersea Heliport to the English countryside.

British newspapers reported seeing workers removing his belongings from the apartment following his sudden decision to leave.

The source said: “He loved London and his lifestyle there. England was both his work base and private retreat, but the rise in crime made him rethink staying in Knightsbridge.”

Knightsbridge and Belgravia: Affluent Areas Facing Rising Crime

Knightsbridge and Belgravia have seen a surge in motorcycle gang crimes in recent years, targeting tourists and wealthy residents.

Metropolitan Police statistics show that 295 crimes were recorded in Knightsbridge and Belgravia in November 2025 alone, nearly half of them near the iconic Harrods store. Several luxury shops have also been targeted in similar robberies.

The area witnessed a tragic incident last year when a 24-year-old man, Lou Stevens, was fatally stabbed near The Park Tower Knightsbridge hotel. His killer remains unidentified.

A Painful Farewell to a “Love for Britain”

Despite previously describing himself as a “lover of Britain,” Cruise did not hesitate to make the difficult decision to leave.

He had earlier expressed admiration for British culture, historic landmarks, and the English countryside. In a 2022 interview with the Mirror, he said:

“I love walking through the streets of London and seeing the historic landmarks, as well as the British countryside as it appears in American films.”

Since moving to the UK in 2021, Cruise attended several major British events, including the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the Wimbledon women’s final, and the British Grand Prix, where he supported his friend Lewis Hamilton.

He was also seen at concerts in Hyde Park featuring Adele and The Rolling Stones, and celebrated his 60th birthday at Soho Farmhouse with famous British friends, including David Beckham, Gordon Ramsay, and James Corden.

Luxury Apartment and Growing Security Concerns

Experts say the incident reflects growing security risks in some of London’s most exclusive neighborhoods, particularly following armed attacks on watch and jewelry stores, prompting high-profile figures like Cruise to reassess living in the British capital.