A British millionaire has left Switzerland after burglars breached his Lake Geneva home, demolished an interior wall, and stole a 200kg safe containing valuables and irreplaceable family heirlooms. Robert Gibbins, the founder of investment fund Autonomy Capital, has sold his property and returned to London with his family after 15 years in Switzerland.
Gibbins, whose wealth is estimated to be between 65 million and 70 million Swiss francs, stated that the incident undermined his confidence in Switzerland's reputation for safety. The raid occurred in the early hours of January 1, when the house was unoccupied.
The intruders forced entry and used demolition to remove the heavy safe before escaping through the main gate. Gibbins declined to assign a monetary value to the stolen items, emphasizing their sentimental and heirloom significance.
He believes the perpetrators conducted prior reconnaissance and noted that the event prompted discussions with neighbors, revealing a pattern of burglaries in the vicinity over the past three to four years. He also joined a local WhatsApp group for residents to share reports of suspicious activity and break-ins.
The response from authorities, which included recommendations for reinforced doors, bulletproof windows, or private security, further eroded Gibbins' sense of safety. He viewed the prospect of living in such a fortified environment as contrary to the principles of an open society.
Consequently, the family sold their villa, withdrew their children from school, and moved their professional activities to London. Gibbins expressed disappointment, having been drawn to Switzerland by its culture of mutual respect, where he had established businesses, employed staff, and paid significant taxes. His daughters were born and raised in the region, developing a Swiss identity he valued.
Gibbins warned that the country risks losing business founders if residents no longer feel secure, suggesting that normalizing such crimes, even without physical harm, erodes Switzerland's most valuable asset. Official statistics from 2025 indicate a 1.2 percent rise in burglaries nationwide, with burglaries in Vaud increasing by 8.8 percent, although home invasions remained rare, albeit traumatic. Cantonal police acknowledged the increase in home invasions but stressed they remain exceptional incidents.