We may not have much in common with the billionaire owner of Manchester United, except for the fear of losing valuables. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, acutely aware of London’s rising crime rates, recently remarked that British cities are no longer as safe as they once were. Prioritizing safety over appearances, the savvy businessman has stopped wearing a watch in the capital to avoid becoming a target for muggers.
Speaking to The Times, Sir Jim criticized authorities for failing to provide basic public services, including ensuring sufficient prison space to house criminals. News of robberies has become so frequent that the term “Rolex rippers” has emerged, further damaging London’s international reputation. “People are being mugged in the heart of London—in Mayfair,” said energy entrepreneur Devin Narang, according to a report in the Financial Times.
Muggings of handbags, watches, and other valuables rose by 27% in London in 2023, with incidents increasing from 57,468 to 72,756. The upscale Westminster area saw a 40% rise in attacks, jumping from 18,310 in 2022 to 25,650, according to Met Police reports. According to research, the total value of watches stolen in the UK surpassed $1.3 billion for the first time ever in 2023.
Ratcliffe bought a stake in the Manchester football club but chose to move Ineos to Switzerland. Although this was due to a corporate dispute with the UK Inland Revenue over a VAT bill, UK’s third richest man believes the cities of Britain are not as safe as they once were. Ratcliffe once witnessed a fatal mugging outside his offices on Ineos’s CCTV system and even had three criminals lurking outside his office, opposite Harrods.
The 71-year-old billionaire, worth $16.1 billion, currently lives in Monaco, which he considers the safest place to sport his Rolexes or Patek Philippes. The keen cyclist still returns to Britain, particularly to Hampshire, which he considers his spiritual home. His love for the area is reflected in the naming of his superyacht, Hampshire II.
