LONDON

London police said Wednesday that they arrested three men suspected of spying for China.

The men were arrested in London and Wales as part of a counter-terrorism policing investigation under the National Security Act, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

There is no "imminent or direct threat to the public,” the Met added.

Officers carried out searches at properties where the three were arrested. All three are being held in custody, the force added.

Searches were also carried out at three locations in London, East Kilbride and Cardiff.

One of the three arrested is the partner of a Labour MP, according to the BBC.

The men have been accused of assisting a foreign intelligence service under section three of the National Security Act, which was introduced in 2023 to target suspects accused of working against UK interests.

An offence is committed if someone is found to have carried out an act to "materially assist a foreign intelligence service in carrying out UK-related activities," or in conduct likely to assist that service.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said in a statement that the force had seen a "significant increase" in national security casework in recent years, but officers were working to "disrupt malign activity where we suspect it."

Speaking in the Commons shortly after the arrests were confirmed, Security Minister Dan Jarvis said if Chinese interference in the UK's sovereign affairs were proven, "severe consequences" would be imposed.

"This government stands resolute in our resolve to counter foreign interference activity targeting the UK from any state actor," he told MPs.

British officials had informed their Chinese counterparts in London and Beijing about the allegations, he added.