Three men arrested on suspicion of spraying graffiti on a wall in the vicinity of Margaret Thatcher funeral service

The alleged offence is thought to be an anti-Thatcher protest

Armed police in central London before Margaret Thatcher's funeral (Reuters)

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of spraying graffiti on a wall in the vicinity of St Paul’s Cathedral, where Margaret Thatcher’s funeral service is taking place today.

Scotland Yard said the men, aged 55, 48 and 26, were arrested in Threadneadle Street at around 9.20pm yesterday.

The arrests were made after officers said they spotted freshly sprayed graffiti on wall and searched a nearby car where they found articles that could have been used for the alleged criminal damage.

The men were subsequently arrested in connection with the alleged offence – thought to be an anti-Thatcher protest.

The trio remain in custody this morning on suspicion of causing criminal damage and being in possession of articles likely to be used to cause criminal damage, but as yet no charges have been brought against them.

In a statement police said: “Three men were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and being in possession of articles likely to be used to commit criminal damage.

“The three men were taken to a central London police station and remain in custody.”