A man who was sitting on a garden wall in Chiswick surfing the net was arrested after neighbourhood police officers caught him stealing someone's wireless broadband connection.

The 39-year-old admitted to officers that he was using someone else's unsecured wireless network, an offence many people do not realise is illegal.

Two police community support officers (PCSOs) had been patrolling on the morning of August 21 when they spotted the man working on his computer outside a house in Prebend Gardens, Chiswick.

Most broadband internet users secure their home's paid-for internet connection by putting a password on the service so it can only be used by people permitted to do so.

However some residents never define a password, allowing any computer user who can catch the signal to connect and use the broadband connection.

The man was taken to Chiswick police station and arrested. His case was handed over to the computer crime unit.

DC Mark Roberts, from the computer crime unit, 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 violation we become aware of."

A press spokesman for Hounslow CID said: "This is a good example of the diverse approach PCSOs have to their community responsibilities."

The man was bailed to return to the police station in October.