Three Men Arrested On Suspicion Of Spying For China In Counter-Terrorism Operation Spanning London And Wales

Counter-terrorism officers have arrested three men on suspicion of assisting Chinese intelligence, in a coordinated operation that saw simultaneous raids carried out across England, Wales and Scotland.
The arrests took place on Wednesday 4 March as part of a proactive investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing London. All three men were detained on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service under section 3 of the National Security Act 2023 — with police confirming the country in question is China.
A 39-year-old man was arrested at an address in London, a 68-year-old man was detained at a property in Powys, Wales, and a 43-year-old man was arrested in Pontyclun, also in Wales. All three remain in police custody. Searches were carried out at each of the three addresses where the arrests took place, with officers also conducting searches at three further properties in London, East Kilbride and Cardiff as part of the same investigation. Counter Terrorism Policing units in Wales and Scotland provided support during the operation.
Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said the force had seen a significant increase in national security casework in recent years and emphasised that Wednesday’s arrests were part of proactive, ongoing investigative work rather than a response to any immediate threat. She said police did not believe there to be any direct or imminent danger to the public connected to the investigation.
The operation comes amid broader international concern about Chinese intelligence activity in the United Kingdom. Enquiries are continuing.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​