Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
TRAVELLER RAID GANG ‘TARGETING BECKHAMS’
‘Crime family’ behind break-in bids
DETECTIVES believe a traveller gang is behind terrifying raids on the Beckhams’ Cotswolds mansion.
The couple’s heavily guarded £6million home has been targeted in two unsuccessful break-ins in the past two months.
Former England football captain David, 43, and designer wife Victoria, 44, have been left shaken by the raids.
Police have identified a traveller crime family as their prime suspects.
The clan are responsible for dozens of break-ins and have been linked to murders, extortion and drug dealing over the past 30 years.
The family, who cannot be named, are based in the West Country and operate across southern England.
A source said: “They are the prime suspects for the Beckham jobs. Police are looking very closely at them. These sort of big-money raids, in that area, don’t happen without their say-so. If it wasn’t them, it would have been with their blessing – for a cut of the profits.”
Masked burglars were seen on CCTV trying to break into the Beckhams’ home, near Great Tew, Oxfordshire, last month. Guests at nearby Soho Farmhouse, a haunt of celebrities and royals, spotted them and scared them off.
David and Victoria were travelling to Australia with children Romeo, 16, Cruz, 13, and Harper, seven, at the time.
Yesterday it emerged a second break-in bid took place on November 14 when the family, who also have a West London base, were not at home.
That raid was thwarted by seven guards and attack dogs drafted in after the first incident. It is understood security is being reviewed again.
No arrests have been made.