Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright were allegedly at home when their £3.5million Essex mansion was broken into by four masked raiders – and a legal expert has now issued a warning to celebrities

A legal expert has issued a stern warning to celebrities and influencers who frequently post images of their homes online.

Michelle Keegan, who is heavily pregnant, and her husband Mark Wright reportedly barricaded themselves in their bedroom when their £3.5million Essex mansion was invaded by masked burglars.

The celebrity couple, who are expecting their first child, allegedly heard the sound of their porch window shattering before their alarm system was triggered at their luxurious residence.

It’s thought that the Brassic actress, 37, and radio host, 38, were at home when four individuals wearing balaclavas entered their property for nearly a minute.

Thankfully, the intruders fled the scene in a getaway vehicle after hearing Mark shout, and no one was injured in the terrifying incident.

Regrettably, they’re not the only well-known individuals to have been targeted by burglars.

READ NEXT: HS2 station ‘key design change’ sparks concern as councillor says ‘you’re going to have a problem’

Get the latest BirminghamLive news direct to your inbox

Over the past year, numerous celebrities have been left shaken by intruders in their homes.

In November, Charlotte Crosby, who was heavily pregnant at the time, was at home with her two year old when masked thieves broke in.

Her fiancé Jake Ankers said he attempted to chase the four robbers, who were armed with a machete, out of the house but was unsuccessful, reports the Mirror.

Celebrities and influencers have been warned by a legal expert that flaunting their properties and whereabouts on social media could be putting them at risk of theft.

This alert comes after several stars, such as Geordie Shore’s Chloe Ferry, who tearfully admitted relocating due to feeling unsafe in her house, Love Island victor Davide Sanclimenti who faced a break-in at his LA residence, and actress Jacqueline Jossa experiencing an armed intrusion at her holiday home.

James Pipe from freegrantsforfelons.org cautioned when speaking to The Mirror, “It’s understandable that people want to share their homes, renovations, and lifestyles with their followers, but criminals are watching too.

“Posting photos and videos can reveal more than you realise, things like security setups, expensive items, and even clues about when you’re away.”

Highlighting the risks of real-time updates, he added, “If you’re on holiday and posting updates while your house is empty, you’re basically putting up a ‘no one’s home’ sign for burglars. Even little details like a unique window view or a designer bag in the background can give criminals all the information they need.”

James has offered some advice on the pitfalls of oversharing online, saying: “Try to avoid posting in real-time, especially if you’re travelling.

Be mindful of what’s visible in your photos and check your privacy settings to limit who can see them.

“The less information you give away, the safer you’ll be.”

Celebrities like Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan, who have a dedicated social media account for their home, could be inviting trouble.

The Essex power couple bought their house in 2019 for £1.3 million and have been updating their followers on the progress of their renovations via @wrightyhome.

Their latest post showcased the impressive overhaul of their spiral staircase, which they described as “mind-blowing”. They’ve also posted about their garden makeovers, new swimming pool, driveway alterations, and more.

Their stunning abode includes a bar, cinema room, sauna, gym, and even a five-a-side football pitch.

Detectives suspect that the recent burglary at their five-bedroom mansion was the work of professional thieves targeting a ‘big score’.

An Essex Police spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday that the investigation into the break-in is still active, commenting: “It was reported four suspects had forced entry to an address, carrying out a search of the property before fleeing.

“Within eight minutes, our officers were on the scene.

We are continuing to support and safeguard the victims and are conducting high-visibility patrols in the area.”