BRITAIN: Security was stepped up yesterday at one of David Beckham's luxury homes as police investigations into an alleged plot to kidnap the Manchester United player's pop star wife, Victoria, continued.
Workmen from specialist security firms installed new cameras and other devices at the couple's Georgian-style mansion in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire.
Victoria's father, Mr Tony Adams, was also seen in the grounds consulting security staff at the gatehouse of the multi-million-pound property set in 24 acres of land.
The review of security arrangements followed a series of police raids focused on an alleged plan to hold Mrs Beckham and her sons, Brooklyn and baby Romeo, for a ransom of £5 million.
Scotland Yard acted after receiving information from the News of the World newspaper about the activities of a criminal gang.
The gang was infiltrated by an undercover reporter who allegedly discovered a plot to kidnap the former Spice Girl, and possibly her children if they were with her at the time.
In a statement yesterday, Beckham said: "The first role of a father and husband is to keep his family safe."
Meanwhile, five men - four of Romanian origin and one Kosovo Albanian - appeared in court charged variously with theft and conspiracy to rob and were remanded in custody until November 11th. - (PA)