Three men arrested on suspicion of spying for China, Met Police say

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of spying for China, the Metropolitan Police have said.

The men were arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service, contrary to section 3 of the National Security Act, 2023.

Officers arrested a 39-year-old man in London, a 68-year-old man in Powys, Wales, and a 43-year-old man in Pontyclun, Wales. They were all taken into custody, where they remain.

The investigation relates to China, police said.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: "We have seen a significant increase in our casework relating to national security in recent years, and we continue to work extremely closely with our partners to help keep the country safe and take action to disrupt malign 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 to be any imminent or direct threat to the public relating to this. Our investigation continues, and we thank the public for their ongoing support."

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