Two men and a woman have been arrested in Essex on suspicion of assisting Russian state intelligence, the Metropolitan Police announced. The arrests took place at two separate addresses in Grays, with the two men aged 41 and 46, and the woman aged 35. They were detained under suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service, a charge contrary to section 3 of the new National Security Act, and were subsequently taken to a police station in London. The Met confirmed that the allegations specifically relate to Russia.

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, highlighted a growing trend, stating: “Through our recent national security casework, we’re seeing an increasing number of who we would describe as ‘proxies’ being recruited by foreign intelligence services.” While the nationalities of those involved were not disclosed, all three suspects have since been released on bail as the investigation continues.

These arrests underscore a broader concern regarding hostile foreign states operating within the UK. Commander Murphy issued a stern warning to anyone considering assisting such states, emphasizing that such activity would be thoroughly investigated, prosecuted, and could lead to severe consequences. He cited the ongoing case of two young British men, Dylan Earl and Jake Reeves, who are awaiting sentencing after being recruited by the Wagner Group—effectively the Russian state—to carry out an arson attack. Although not connected to the Essex arrests, this case serves as a stark example of the dangers involved.

Earl, 21, and Reeves, 23, became the first individuals convicted under the new National Security Act 2023. They were recruited by the Russian mercenary organization, the Wagner Group, to torch a warehouse in Leyton, east London. This warehouse housed humanitarian aid and Starlink satellite equipment destined for Ukraine, resulting in approximately £1 million in damages and repairs. The attack was livestreamed to their British recruiter, who reported back to the Russians. Earl, described as the