Amanda Cronin, the Real Housewife of London and former model turned entrepreneur, has become the latest high-profile victim of London’s surge in street crime.
From phone snatchers to car thieves and hackers, she has faced it all—but refuses to let the city’s criminals keep her down.
Last month, while returning home from a glamorous evening in Sloane Square, Cronin’s iPhone 15 was snatched by a hooded e-bike thief just yards from her Belgravia mews house.
Despite the shock, she describes herself as undeterred and determined to keep living life on her own terms.
Life in the Crosshairs
Cronin isn’t new to crime. She has previously had her phone stolen while visiting universities with her daughter, survived multiple attempted car robberies, and even faced hackers attempting to access her private Coutts banking account.
Yet, she remains resolute: “I always describe London as a big, bad city.
You need to have your wits about you. Pickpockets have been here since Oliver Twist!”
A Day That Took a Sudden Turn
Recalling the Sloane Square incident, Cronin paints a vivid picture.
“I’d had a lovely, girly day with drinks at One Sloane Hotel.
I was just strolling home when out of nowhere a guy on a bike whisked my phone away,” she recounts.
Luckily, she wasn’t physically hurt, and she was able to secure her accounts and contact her daughter immediately.
“It was upsetting, of course,” she admits, “but my first thought was, how do I protect my information? My phone is my office.
Everything I do is mobile-centric.”
Staying Safe Without Giving Up Freedom
Cronin has adapted her lifestyle to reduce risk, giving up watches in public and using a strap to keep her phone around her neck.
Despite these precautions, she insists that London remains her home.
“I’ve been in London since the early 90s.
I love this city. It’s upsetting that we may not have enough resources, but we have to stay resilient.”
Lessons From Experience
Her experiences have also shaped her approach to life: “I’m a woman of faith.
I live in faith, not fear. I don’t dwell on what happened—I get a new phone and keep going.
It was stressful and impacted my business, but that’s life.”
Cronin calls for stronger measures to tackle everyday crimes.
“We need authorities to take a New York-style approach.
Lesser crimes like phone snatching shouldn’t be ignored. Residents and tourists alike need to feel safe.”
From Screen to Skincare
Beyond reality TV, Cronin is building a successful business.
At 50, she launched her high-end skincare brand, Amanda Caroline, selling luxury products like the £150 Haute Lift Serum.
Her clientele includes TV presenter Lisa Snowdon and model Victoria Silvstedt.
Her fame rose through Channel 4’s Millionairess and Me in 2022 and this year’s Real Housewives of London, proving she can navigate both the public eye and the challenges of running a business in a city she loves despite its dangers.
A Message of Resilience
For Cronin, the message is clear: stay strong, stay positive, and protect yourself without surrendering to fear.
“There’s a lot going on in the UK, but we need to stick together, help our communities, and stay resilient.
That’s all we can do until things get better,” she says.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn