CHARGES FILED AS BECKS VOWS TO KEEP FAMILY SAFE

November 3, 2002Nov 3, 2002, 11:00 PM GMT

Five men arrested over an alleged plot to kidnap Spice Girl Victoria Beckham have been charged with theft and conspiracy to rob, police said on Monday.

Armed officers detained nine people over the weekend after a reporter from British daily News Of The World, who had gone undercover to infiltrate a theft ring, tipped off Scotland Yard about the gang's plan to snatch the wife of Manchester United star David Beckham. The group reportedly aimed to kidnap Victoria – and the couple's two children, Brooklyn, three, and two-month-old Romeo, if necessary – and hold her for a £5 million ransom.

Though charges have not been filed in relation to the alleged kidnap plan, three men have been charged with stealing a £60,000 jewelled turban from Sotheby's auction house and two others have been charged with conspiracy to rob an employee of the firm.

"Inquiries into an alleged conspiracy to kidnap continue and all five men are also on police bail to return to central London police stations on November 18 pending further enquiries into these matters," Scotland Yard said in a statement. The accused are due to appear at London's Horseferry Road magistrates on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Beckhams are under police guard and have begun increasing security measures at their Hertfordshire estate, known as "Beckingham Palace", and a second home in Cheshire. "Because of this incident we will be reviewing our security arrangements again with help from the police and the security experts at Manchester United," said David. "The first role of a father and husband is to keep his family safe."

Victoria was told of the plot on Saturday as she and her two sons watched David play Southampton at Old Trafford. Though stunned by the news, she waited until end of game to tell her famous husband. "I'm in absolute and total shock," Victoria told the News of the World. "It's clear these people were serious and that, of course, has scared the life out of me."

However, the pop star added: "We will not let these people dictate our lives. We will not become prisoners in our own home."

"The first role of a father and husband is to keep his family safe," David said on Sunday after nine people were detained in relation to an alleged kidnap plan against his familyPhoto: © PA

As the couple increases security measures, "stunned" mother-of-two Victoria says: "We will not become prisoners in our own home"

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