Three people have been charged under the National Security Act after allegedly assisting a foreign intelligence service.

Chi Leung Wai, 38, from Staines-upon-Thames, Matthew Trickett, 37, from Maidenhead, and Chung Biu Yuen, 63, from Hackney, will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ later today.

A total of 11 people were detained as part of the Metropolitan Police's investigation.

Eight men and a woman were arrested in the Yorkshire area by counter terrorism police officers on May 1, including Wai.

Yuen was arrested the following day and warrants of further detention were sought and obtained in respect of the 10 men.

However, the seven men and one woman who were not charged were subsequently released from custody.

Scotland Yard's Counter Terrorism Command were assisted by colleagues from the North East and South East Counter Terrorism Policing Units.

The Metropolitan Police also revealed: "The foreign intelligence service to which the above charges relate is that of Hong Kong."

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Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “This operation is not connected to a recently reported Counter Terrorism Policing investigation linked to Russia.

“A number of arrests were made and searches carried out across England as part of this investigation.

"While led from London, the Counter Terrorism Policing network has been crucial to disrupting this activity and we have worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service since the start of the investigation.

“While these offences are concerning, I want to reassure the public that we do not believe there to be any wider threat to them.

"This investigation remains ongoing, but now that charges have been brought, I urge people not to speculate or comment further in relation to this case.”