High-net-worth clients face elevated risks of targeted break-ins, as criminals often strategically monitor and deliberately target affluent individuals, yet many remain vulnerable because acquisitive crime is treated as a single, uniform threat despite offenders falling into two distinct categories requiring different defensive approaches.
We’ll be taking a deeper look into the mindset of the modern criminal, drawing on insights from Harrier Global, a trusted Markham partner specialising in advising and educating high net worth individuals on how to better protect themselves at home and on the move.
Volume Criminals: Opportunistic and Risk-Averse
These are the offenders responsible for the majority of everyday burglary across much of the UK.
Their approach is simple:
- They operate locally
- They prioritise speed
- They avoid complexity
- They move on quickly if faced with resistance
Importantly, they typically avoid visibly affluent targets. Wealth introduces uncertainty, and uncertainty increases risk. For these individuals, easier opportunities are always available. Security measures such as alarms, lighting and visible deterrents are often highly effective against this group.
Sophisticated Criminals: Capable, Patient and Adaptable
The second category is very different. These are the criminals who deliberately target wealthy individuals and high-value assets.
They are experienced, highly capable, and often operate either alone or within small, organised groups. Many have spent years refining their approach, learning from past activity and adapting as circumstances change. Their actions are deliberate rather than opportunistic.
Unlike volume criminals, they are not deterred by basic obstacles. They expect resistance and plan accordingly. Time spent observing, analysing and identifying weaknesses is seen as an investment, not a cost.
A useful way to understand their mindset is to think of water flowing across uneven ground. Rather than forcing a direct path, it naturally finds the easiest route forward. In the same way, these criminals probe and adapt until they identify the least resistant path to their objective.
Why This Distinction Matters
Many wealthy individuals unknowingly build their security around the wrong threat profile.
Measures designed to deter opportunistic offenders may create reassurance — but offer limited protection against a capable, targeted adversary. The result is significant investment, yet critical vulnerabilities remain exposed.
Effective protection begins not with “What security do you have?” but with:
“Who are you protecting against?”
For brokers advising high and ultra-high net worth clients, reframing the conversation in this way can fundamentally change the quality of risk management advice being delivered.