GCHQ has issued a warning about Google’s plans for new encrypted browsers, amid concerns the technology could increase the risk of cyber attacks and impede police investigations.

The cyber spy agency has said incoming changes to popular browsers such as Chrome could undermine its existing Government protections against malicious websites.

It comes as the police have also expressed concerns about the “unintended consequences” the new browsers could have for future investigations.

Internet protections in Britain largely rest with UK-based internet providers such as BT, Sky and Virgin, who connect users with the websites they visit.

These companies are currently responsible for blocking access to dangers sites and banned material such as terrorist and child abuse images.

However, Google and Mozilla, which owns the Firefox browser, are planning to change their browsers so they take users directly to websites, cutting out the internet providers.