Keira Knightley beefing up security to defend herself from stalker

Keira Knightley is stepping up security after being plagued by a stalker.

The 32-year-old actress previously admitted she was left scared to go outside because of the attentions of Mark Revill - who was previously given an eight weeks' suspended jail sentence and a restraining order - and she is now taking steps to feel safer in the London home she shares with husband James Righton and their two-year-old daughter Edie.

According to The Sun on Sunday newspaper, the Love Actually star has lodged a planning application with her local council, which details extensive work she wants to carry out on her £3.9 million (NZ$6.78 million), four-storey Grade II listed house, with the documents stating the home improvements will help boost security.

The actress and her spouse also want to carry out internal works, including a new first-floor stud wall and an opening from an entrance hall to a ground-floor toilet.

Photo / Getty Images

Keira and James previously added state-of-the-art CCTV cameras and high-security shutters to the house after Revill drew an arrow in chalk which pointed to their front door.

Council officials are expected to make a decision on the planning application next month after there were no objections from neighbours.

The Pirates of the Caribbean star previously spoke of the "distress and panic" she felt as a result of the attentions of Revill, which included mewing through her letterbox and sending a USB stick with feline-themed music on it, as well as a picture of the animals winking.

She said: "This man has caused a lot of distress and panic. I'm scared every time I go outside.

"When I return home I have to look behind me. I don't know who might be in the shadows."

- Bang! Showbiz