Grand Tour star Richard Hammond reveals his £2million castle has been ransacked in a 'James Bond style break-in'

  • Grand Tour star Richard Hammond has fallen victim to burglary at his £2m home
  • Neighbours called the 20-acre Herefordshire estate 'Fort Knox' as it was secure
  • The castle boasts ten foot gates, a high-tech security system and protective forts
  • He was recovering at the six-bedroom estate from a near-death crash in Switzerland last year 

Grand Tour star Richard Hammond's Herefordshire castle that was thought to be 'as secure as Fort Knox' has been burgled.

The crime shocked locals as the Hammond home boasts extensive security including ten foot iron gates, a high-tech security system and a protective fort.

West Mercia Police are now investigating the break-in. 

Mr Hammond bought the Herefordshire castle for £2million in 2008 and has since expanded

Mr Hammond bought the Herefordshire castle for £2million in 2008 and has since expanded

Neighbours said the property (pictured) was as 'secure as Fort Knox' and they must have needed a helicopter to get in

Neighbours said the property (pictured) was as 'secure as Fort Knox' and they must have needed a helicopter to get in

Richard Hammond, 48, with wife Mindy, 47, and two teenage daughters Willow and Isabella pictured on This Morning weeks after his near-fatal crash last June (right)

Richard Hammond, 48, with wife Mindy, 47, and two teenage daughters Willow and Isabella pictured on This Morning weeks after his near-fatal crash last June (right)

Richard Hammond with wife Mindy at Cheltenham Festival earlier this month

Richard Hammond with wife Mindy at Cheltenham Festival earlier this month

'If he was burgled they must have used a helicopter to get in and out – as he does' a neighbour told the Mirror.

'It would have to be a James Bond-style break-in as the place is not easy to get into' they added. 

The TV star was recovering at the 20-acre estate following a near-death accident in Switzerland last year.

He lost control when driving a £2million super-car last June and it flipped and burst into flames.   

The break-in comes just weeks after the Mail On Sunday broke the story that Amazon may not be signing Mr Hammond and his co-hosts Jeremy Clarkson and James May up for a fourth series of their flagship show, The Grand Tour. 

The presenter, nicknamed 'The Hamster' bought the castle for £2million in 2008.

The Hammond home boasts six bedrooms and a swimming pool 

The Hammond home boasts six bedrooms and a swimming pool 

Mr Hammond bought his neighbour's home, pictured, in 2014 for £1.2million

Mr Hammond bought his neighbour's home, pictured, in 2014 for £1.2million

Inside the castle walls: Hammond's cosy drawing room 

Inside the castle walls: Hammond's cosy drawing room 

Home sweet home: Just a small part of Hammond's huge estate that was ransacked

Home sweet home: Just a small part of Hammond's huge estate that was ransacked

The TV star (pictured with wife Mindy) was recovering from at the 20-acre estate following a near-death accident in Switzerland last year

The TV star (pictured with wife Mindy) was recovering from at the 20-acre estate following a near-death accident in Switzerland last year

The estate near Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire boasts six bedrooms, 20 acres of land, large garages and a swimming pool. 

In 2014, the star reportedly expanded his estate by buying the six-bedroom house next-door for £1.2million to end a 'neighbourly dispute'.

The 48-year-old lives with his wife Mindy, 47, and two teenage daughters Willow and Isabella.

Richard Hammond poses with James May and Jeremy Clarkson in a promotional shoot for Series Two of The Grand Tour

Richard Hammond poses with James May and Jeremy Clarkson in a promotional shoot for Series Two of The Grand Tour

The car that was involved in a crash where Richard Hammond escaped serious injury in Switzerland

The car that was involved in a crash where Richard Hammond escaped serious injury in Switzerland

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