A London man has been arrested on suspicion of stealing a wireless broadband connection from neighbours.

The man was apprehended by police after he was spotted sitting on a wall near the house while using his laptop.

After he was approached by two community support officers, he admitted the charge and was arrested. He has subsequently been bailed pending further enquiries.

Detective Constable Mark Roberts said: "This arrest should act as a warning to anyone who thinks it is acceptable to illegally use other people's broadband connections.

"To do so potentially breaches the Computer Misuse Act and the Communications Act, so computer users need to be aware that this is unlawful and police will investigate any violations we become aware of."

The latest arrest follows reports last April of a Redditch man being cautioned by police after he was spied using his laptop in car parked outside a house. Meanwhile, in April 2005 a man who used a connection near his home was fined £500.