The SFO said it was targeting infrastructure specialist Blu-3 and former associates of the Mace Group.

Individuals at Blu-3 are suspected of paying over £3m of bribes to people linked to Mace.

More than 70 SFO staff searched four homes and one commercial property across London, Kent, Surrey and Somerset on Wednesday to seize evidence.

Authorities in Monaco also searched a suspect’s premises as part of the joint probe into bribes allegedly paid to land the European data centre job.

The individuals were arrested for questioning.

Solicitor General Lucy Rigby, who attended one of the arrests in North London, said: “As part of our Plan for Change, this Government is committed to tackling all forms of bribery to protect working people and ensure criminals are brought to justice.”

Nick Ephgrave, director of the Serious Fraud Office, said: “Paying bribes to do business undermines our financial markets, the reputation of British companies and the rule of law and will not be tolerated.

“Today’s action is a reminder that we will take rapid and robust action to tackle suspected bribery and corruption wherever it appears – at home and overseas.”

A spokesman for Mace said: “Mace has a zero tolerance approach to breaches of our code of ethics and takes any allegations of bribery extremely seriously.

“We are committed to fully supporting the Serious Fraud Office in investigating allegations against any former associates of the group.”