Chinese spies have reportedly bugged pubs and park benches around London. Security chiefs are warning Government officials to avoid “hotspots” in the capital’s SW1 area as they say Beijing is desperately trying to bag crucial state secrets.

One source said a pub near the Houses of Parliament was “full of Chinese agents.” Meanwhile, they claim five-star hotels in the area have also been identified as risky locations for officials to discuss Government matters.

Spy chiefs also claimed Xi Jinping‘s agents are eavesdropping by bugging park benches around Westminster. These are often popular meeting spots for researchers and civil servants at lunch.

As reported by the Daily Mail, one source said: “We have been told the Chinese literally have the park bugged, with devices in the bushes and under park benches.”

A second added: “Commons researchers are regarded by the Chinese, and other spies including the Russians and Iranians, as the soft underbelly of Whitehall.”

It’s not the first time Chinese hackers and spies have been believed to be targeting UK officials. MPs who have previously criticised China have experienced high numbers of hacking attempts, while parliamentarians are given regular security briefings on how to handle the threat.

Meanwhile, doctors treating British soldiers are also being targeted by Chinese hackers. They are reportedly trying to steal their patient data and some have been advised to take extra precautions, including not taking their mobile phones into appointments with their patients and keeping paper records.

One doctor said: “I have a real problem with the Chinese trying to get my communications.”

A senior source added: “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.”

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp also said: “We know China is building a spying and repression network right here in the UK.”