A man spotted allegedly breaking into cars after smashing windows has been arrested.

An eagle-eyed police officer on patrol in Chatham responded to reports and found a man reportedly reaching into a vehicle through the broken glass.

The incident was recorded at 9pm last night in Albany Terrace.

The officer stepped out of the vehicle and detained the man before taking him into custody.

The suspect, a man in his 20s from Rochester, was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and attempted theft from a vehicle

He was released on bail pending further investigation.