Daniella gets police guard after car ransom demand

Police are guarding the home of former EastEnders star Daniella Westbrook after thieves stole her car and demanded £5,000 (€7,859) for its return, a spokesman said today.

Miss Westbrook, 28, told police that her husband Kevin Jenkins discovered the black £45,000 (€70,736) BMW X5 missing from the driveway of the couple’s Kent home.

The offenders then allegedly used Mr Jenkins’s mobile phone, which was in the vehicle, to threaten that they would “burn the house down” unless the ransom was paid.

Today a Kent Police spokesman said a police guard had been placed at the house, adding to increased private security including CCTV cameras, brought in by Miss Westbrook, who played Sam Mitchell in the BBC soap.

The police spokesman said: “I can confirm that a car was stolen from the driveway of the home on Saturday and that a ransom for £5,000 (€7,859)was made.

“They have increased security at the house and there has been a police presence there throughout the police investigation, which is continuing.”