Chinese spies are allegedly bugging popular spots in London, from park benches to pubs, as part of an intensified effort to access sensitive UK government information, security sources have warned.
Officials have reportedly been instructed to avoid specific “hotspots” in the SW1 postcode, a zone encompassing Whitehall and the Houses of Parliament, amid growing fears of Chinese espionage.
According to sources, a pub located close to Parliament has drawn particular concern. One insider revealed it was “full of Chinese agents.” The security risk is believed to extend to upscale hotels in the area, where casual conversations over drinks or coffee could inadvertently expose classified matters.
In an alarming development, intelligence agencies say listening devices have been hidden in public spaces, including beneath benches and in shrubbery within central London parks.
“We have been told the Chinese literally have the park bugged, with devices in the bushes and under park benches,” a source told the Daily Mail.
These areas, often frequented by researchers, aides, and civil servants during lunch breaks, have become unwitting stages for espionage.
The targeting of Commons researchers and junior civil servants has raised particular concern. One intelligence contact commented: “Commons researchers are regarded by the Chinese, and other spies including the Russians and Iranians, as the soft underbelly of Whitehall.”
The emphasis appears to be on exploiting less-secure communication channels and informal conversations. The Chinese state has previously been accused of cyber-espionage and now seems to be complementing digital efforts with old school surveillance tactics.
The threat goes beyond Parliament. British military doctors have reportedly come under cyberattack, with Chinese hackers allegedly attempting to access confidential patient records.
“I have a real problem with the Chinese trying to get my communications,” said one concerned doctor.
To counter the threat, some medical professionals have been advised to take extreme precautions, including leaving mobile phones outside consultation rooms and relying solely on paper documentation.
Security officials are calling for urgent awareness and a stronger stance against China’s espionage ambitions. “We need to wake the world up to just how serious the situation is. We’ve got too many people looking to make ties with China. They need a wake-up call,” warned a senior source.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp also voiced his concerns, stating: “We know China is building a spying and repression network right here in the UK.”
The warning signs are clear. From covert bugs in London’s green spaces to cyberattacks on frontline military medics, Chinese espionage efforts appear to be infiltrating all levels of British infrastructure.
As security briefings intensify and officials grow more cautious, the public and Parliament alike are urged to stay alert — because the next conversation overheard could cost more than just words.
