The Manchester United and England soccer star, David Beckham, and his wife, Victoria Adams, Posh Spice of the Spice Girls, were the focus of renewed attention yesterday with reports of an underworld plot to kidnap Ms Adams and her infant son, Brooklyn.
According to the Sunday Times, a large police operation was initiated after a tip-off from the public brought the plot to the police's attention. A gang had planned to snatch Ms Adams (25) and her son from their home in Alderly Edge, Cheshire, and drive them to a house in Hampstead, north-west London, before demanding a six-figure ransom.
The kidnapping was to take place on one of two selected dates last year. The first was in October when Beckham was scheduled to play for Manchester United and the second was set for England's November clash against Scotland, in which he was playing.
The danger was brought to the couple's attention when a threat was received at a shop belonging to one of their friends. Police reportedly tapped the phone at Flannels, a Manchester clothing outlet, and began investigating any possible danger. Several weeks later the couple, whose joint wealth is estimated at £25 million, were informed by the police that the threat might be genuine.
A specialist organised crime unit from Scotland Yard was called in to prevent the kidnapping, and an undercover officer was placed among the couple's private bodyguards. The Hampstead safe house was also put under surveillance for 48 hours during both dates. Ms Adams and her son were meanwhile placed under 24-hour guard and moved to a safe house. Her mother and father were also moved to an adjoining safe house for the duration of the emergency.
It is thought that the gang abandoned their plans after a member of the Beckham entourage told them that the police were aware of the plot. According to the reports, a former SAS member masterminded the conspiracy with the help of a London prostitute. Without enough hard evidence police were unable to bring any charges.
The couple moved from their Cheshire home to a £2.5 million mansion in Hertfordshire shortly after the crisis in order to develop more sophisticated security arrangements. Both Beckham and his wife have admitted that security is a major issue in their lives.
Last month Ms Adams knocked a man to the ground outside Harrod's department store in London when he attempted to wrench her son from the arms of her husband.
It is not the first time Beckham has been the subject of criminal attention: he received death threats and a bullet engraved with his name after he was sent off in England's 1998 World Cup clash against Argentina. The multimillionaire athlete has also been troubled by the unwelcome attention of a stalker. Manchester United doubled the security detail assigned to Beckham and to several of its other top stars in the wake of the threats.
Scotland Yard last night declined to comment on the yesterday's reports, saying: "It is a matter of policy never to discuss kidnap, attempted kidnap or conspiracy to kidnap cases."