Tom Cruise has a pad in London’s high-end Knightsbridge area. However, reports are now claiming he has abandoned his luxury apartment.
The reason, sources tell the Daily Mail, is growing crime in the upmarket area. A glimpse into this was recently provided by a group of thieves who carried out a robbery in a watch store in broad daylight.
So far, no arrest has been made. In light of this, reports say the Mission: Impossible star has left his £35 million spot.
“The over aggressive attack on the store below cemented the lack of security surrounding the multi-million pound flats where Cruise lives,” an insider notes.
The daylight break-in is not the only incident that reportedly moved Cruise to take the step. Instead, a source claims he had been observing the decline in the star-studded location for quite some time.
“He often loved to take a walk around the area but it seems like Knightsbridge is becoming less safe by the week. He just felt the area has declined in the past year or two.”
Marcel Knobil, a brand expert, says reports of Hollywood’s superstar leaving Knightsbridge will deal a blow to its value, as he explains, “image is everything.”
“I think that whatever statistics one wants to deliver, perceptions are what really matters,” he says, noting, “Various locations within London have really suffered from a truly deteriorating perception.”
“The likes of Knightsbridge is a location built on characteristics such as glamour, wealth and prestige, and so safety is very much expected and anticipated.”
‘When safety appears to be under threat then this impacts massively on the image of a location,” Knobil concludes.
