A PORTUGUESE man was arrested in West Finchley after vigilant neighbours spotted a burglar in a house there yesterday afternoon.

Sniffer dogs found the 35-year-old man hiding in the kitchen of the property in Seymore Close after he was spotted in there by a neighbour at about 4pm.

A sledgehammer from the shed in the back garden had been used to break into the property, which police believe came from either the shed in the back garden or a neighbouring home.

DI John Cracknell said: “This is an excellent example of how a vigilant member of the public can help us to catch offenders before they can even remove any property.

“However, it is also immediate proof of why it is so important to make sure that any tools are locked away and cannot be used against their owner or their property.

“If the sledgehammer had been kept safely in a tool-shed, the suspect may never have even attempted entry to the building.”

The man is due to appear at Hendon Magistrates Court tomorrow charged with burglary.