Why MI6 is hiring teenagers; & the Chilean gangs flying thieves to the UK

Britain’s top spy, Sir Alex Younger, has told the Evening Standard how teenagers are being recruited to MI6 as it battles to stay ahead in a new technology race. The agency’s lowering its recruitment age from 21 to 18, and appealing to the “best talent” from all social backgrounds in the UK. Our deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil talks to the Leader Podcast about his exclusive story, including the secret visit by a group of teenagers to MI6 headquarters, and how they were given tasks including toppling an arms dealer called “Beetlejuice”.Chilean gang’s targeting LondonChilean gang leaders are recruiting low-level thieves to fly to the UK as ‘burglary tourists’, raiding homes in affluent areas including that of TV chef Marcus Wareing. Provided with cash, a car and phone the thieves move in on pre-selected targets. Evening Standard reporter Liam Coleman joins the podcast to reveal how a joint investigation between the paper and Chilean magazine Revista Capital is raising questions about how easy it seems to be for these criminal to get into the UK. Subscribe, rate and review The Leader on Apple Podcasts, Acast, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.