British police foiled a plan to kidnap GLADIATOR star RUSSELL CROWE at the UK premiere of his new movie.

The METROPOLITAN POLICE were tipped off by the FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION that mystery gangsters were targeting the actor - and quizzed him personally about the threats. A massive security operation involving crack cops and an army of minders blocked the kidnap conspiracy - at the premiere of PROOF OF LIFE, Crowe was under close watch by tough bodyguards.

A police source says, "Crowe took the threats extremely seriously. It's hard to imagine the man you see playing mighty MAXIMUS in Gladiator being frightened - but he was genuinely scared." (CB/WNSPE/MCM)

Source: WENN