The 43-year-old man was arrested in Brandon on Tuesday thanks to Police Direct, a service that notifies residents of current crimes by text message or email.

Launched last August by Suffolk Police, the scheme is the first of its kind in the country and enables the force to send out more than 200,000 messages in an hour.

In the past, it has been used to warn residents about bogus callers who may be operating in their midst, but this week it was used to trace a wanted criminal.

Around 6,000 messages were sent out on Tuesday lunchtime warning users of a prolific church burglar believed to be in the area – and it worked.

Within an hour, an eagle-eyed resident had called the police saying they had spotted the man, who was promptly arrested and charged with theft and burglary.

Chf Supt Mark Cordell, area commander for Suffolk Police, said this was just the kind of result the scheme was invented for. "This is brilliant news," he said.

"We've had lots of small successes with the scheme, with upwards of 6,000 people now signed up, but this is the first apprehension we have had.

"It just shows what an excellent crime-fighting tool it is. By using the eyes and the ears of the public, we can help make the county an even safer place to live in."

The pilot scheme, which is being funded by the Home Office at a cost of an initial £150,000, is due to last for a further eight months.

But Chief Supt Cordell said they had already opened discussions with the police authority aimed at extending both the life and scope of Police Direct.

"The aim by the end of the year is to make it more precise, so only people on Moreton Hall, for example, are told about crimes in their area," he added.

People can start receiving updates immediately by registering a few details online. To sign-up go to www.suffolk.police.uk or text POLICE and your postcode to 88858.