Beckhams' UK fortress

Jan 26, 2009, 9:45 GMT

Ex-Spice Girl Victoria Beckham (C) The couple\'s £2.5 million mansion in Hertfordshire, central England, is now protected by CCTV surveillance, guard dogs, a high wall topped with razor wire and 24-hour security patrols by former SAS members. EPA/VINCE PAOLO GERACE

David and Victoria Beckham have turned their UK house into an impregnable fortress.

The couple's £2.5 million mansion in Hertfordshire, central England, is now protected by CCTV surveillance, guard dogs, a high wall topped with razor wire and 24-hour security patrols by former SAS members.

The 33-year-old soccer player and his wife have also written a list of everything they own, keeping treasured items locked up.

Their staff have also been affected - employees must now sign in and out of every room.

One employee said: "Even if you're only going there for a few hours, you still have to sign in and out of every room. The cameras watch you from the minute you go in - it's like a military base."

David and Victoria have taken the drastic measures after they discovered last year several personal items - including a pair of soccer star David's boots and numerous pieces of the former Spice Girl's designer clothing - were for sale on eBay.

The couple's former housekeepers were accused of theft but later cleared of all charges.

A source added: "Security was already a big deal, but it's even bigger after the eBay problems."

A spokesman for the Beckhams denied there was a new security regime affecting staff.