FOOTIE RAIDS Brazen burglars switch to targeting top-flight footballers when they are home — because it’s easier to break in

The gang has moved away from away day raids when stars were out at matches as they became wary of alarms quickly alerting police and security teams.

Last week, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and fiancee Perrie Edwards were at home when they were burgled

A source said: “It’s five or six guys loosely connected to Salford and very professional.

"They used to take down cash vans in the 1990s before it got too difficult.

"They spend ages casing a joint and are not afraid to take a risk if the reward is there.

"They know if they break in when no one is home the modern systems are so good they will only have minutes before the cops or security turn up.

"But when players are home they don’t have the systems on, so if they can get in, they can spend more time in the house.

"It raises fears that stars will be confronted and get seriously hurt at some point.”

Last week, Liverpool ace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and fiancée Perrie Edwards were at their £3.5million Cheshire home with their son when a gang struck.

The thugs, in boiler suits to avoid leaving DNA traces, used a ladder to reach a window.

The same gang targeted Paul Pogba’s £3.5million mansion in March. The star was playing for Man United but his children and their nanny were home.

The wife of his former United team-mate Victor Lindelof locked herself and their children in a panic room when their home was targeted in January.