Emma Watson was the target of a kidnapping plot on the set of her new movie.

Two studio workers reportedly planned to kidnap or rob the 'Harry Potter' actress but had their plan foiled by a taxi driver who overheard them plotting the crime.

He told his bosses who alerted Shepperton Studios near London and security was then stepped up on Friday (17.07.15), with a guard posted outside of the 25-year-old star's trailer on the set of the live-action reboot of 'Beauty and the Beast'.

A source told The Sun newspaper: ''There was concern about her safety. The taxi staff reported what had been overheard after a night shoot.

''They said the two studio staff travelling in the cab were chatting in a foreign language, unaware that the driver could understand every word.

''It is shocking to think anyone would want to rob or harm Emma, particularly a member of studio staff.''

The workers are believed to have been cleaners from eastern Europe.

Emma - who is set to play Belle in the upcoming Disney remake - has suffered a number of security scares throughout her career.

Filming on her 2014 film 'Noah' had to be halted after an obsessed fan broke on to the set, and in 2011 the British actress was assigned a full-time bodyguard after she received a series of sinister letters while studying in the US.