Three men have been snared in a crack-down linked to the National Security Act, hit by Counter Terrorism Policing London in a major spy investigation.
Arrests Made in West and Central London
On Thursday 23 October, police swooped on three addresses across west and central London. The men, aged 48, 45, and 44, were arrested on suspicion of aiding a foreign intelligence service — specifically tied to Russia. Officers are still searching the properties to gather evidence.
Allegations of Assisting Russian Intelligence
All three suspects face allegations of helping a foreign intelligence service, breaching section 3 of the National Security Act 2023. They’ve been taken to a London police station for questioning.
Counter Terror Chief Issues Stark Warning
“We’re seeing an increasing number of who we would describe as ‘proxies’ being recruited by foreign intelligence services and these arrests are directly related to our ongoing efforts to disrupt this type of activity,” said Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London.
“Anyone who might be contacted by and tempted into carrying out criminal activity on behalf of a foreign state here in the UK should think again. This kind of activity will be investigated and anyone found to be involved can expect to be prosecuted, with potentially very serious consequences.”
UK authorities are stepping up efforts to clamp down on spies operating on British soil amid rising global tensions.