A 68-year-old man was arrested in Powys today as part of a UK-wide counter-terrorism investigation under the National Security Act.

The arrest, carried out by detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London, was on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service. The investigation relates to suspected activity involving China.

The Powys arrest was one of three made on the same day, alongside a 39-year-old in London and a 43-year-old in Pontyclun, South Wales. All three remain in police custody.

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.”

Officers carried out searches at the addresses where the three men were arrested. As part of the investigation, searches were also carried out at three other addresses in London, East Kilbride and Cardiff respectively.

The BBC reports it has been told one of the men is a partner of a Labour MP.