Three men arrested on suspicion of spying for China | UK | News

Three people were arrested on suspicion of spying for China. The Metropolitan Police said on Wednesday the arrests were made in Wales and London as part of a Counter Terrorism Policing investigation into suspected National Security Act offenses.

Police said the suspects, aged 39, 43 and 68, were arrested by counter-terrorism officers on March 4 on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service, contrary to Article 3 of the 2023 National Security Act. The Met Police added that the country to which the investigation relates is China.

Police also stated that all three people were detained and searches were carried out at the addresses where they were arrested (London, Powys and Pontyclun).

As part of the investigation carried out by the London Counter-Terrorism Police, searches were carried out at three addresses in London, East Kilbride and Cardiff, respectively.

Arrests and searches were supported by colleagues from CTP Wales and CTP Scotland.

Following the arrests, Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of London Counter Terrorism Police, said: “We have seen a significant increase in our national security-related incidents in recent years and we continue to work extremely closely with our partners to help keep the country safe and take action to disrupt malicious activity where we suspect it.

“Today’s arrests are part of a proactive investigation, and while these are serious matters, we do not believe there is an imminent or direct threat to the public in relation to this. Our investigation is ongoing and we thank the public for their continued support.”

Investigations continue.