Four people arrested for cyber attacks on M&S, Co-OP and Harrods

Four young people were arrested for their alleged participation in the harmful cyber attacks against Marks & Spencer, the cooperative and the Harrods.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) said that the people were arrested on Thursday morning on Thursday morning on suspicion of blackmail, money laundering, crimes in connection with the computer abuse law and participation in the activities of an organized crime group.

The arrests included a 17-year-old British man from the West Midlands, the 19-year-old Latvian man from the West Midlands, the 19-year-old British man from London and the 20-year-old British from Staffordshire.

Co-OP's gesture on members after a cyber attack — Coop shops were also affected by a cyber attack (CO-OP/PA)

All four were arrested by their house addresses and remain in custody.

After investigating NCA, attacks against the three retailers, in which Hacker searched for ransom payments after they had broken into their IT systems.

Paul Foster, head of the NCA National Cyber Crime Unit, said: “Since these attacks have taken place, the investigators of specialists NCA Cybercrime have worked at speed, and the investigation remains one of the agency’s highest priorities.

“Today’s arrests are a considerable step in this investigation, but our work continues together with partners in Great Britain and overseas to ensure that those responsible are identified and brought to court.”