A man has been arrested on suspicion of stealing a wireless internet connection after being seen using his laptop in the street.

The 39-year-old was spotted by two officers using his laptop while sitting on a wall outside his home in Chiswick, west London. When questioned, he admitted stealing a wireless connection and was arrested.

The man has been bailed until October.

Dishonestly obtaining free internet access is an offence under the Communications Act 2003 and the Chiswick incident is the third known case of criminal proceedings being brought.

Detective Constable Mark Roberts told the Times: "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."

The Communications Act 2003 was introduced to clampdown on the rise in internet-related fraud and to regulate the growing technological market.


Friday, 24th August 2007

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