A man has been charged and three others arrested over the theft of broadband cables which knocked out internet connections for several villages.

Detectives carried out a number of search warrants this week after a series of incidents in June when cables were stolen or damaged at rural locations in Cranbrook, Rye and Tunbridge Wells.

The incidents throughout the Weald between June 7 and June 22 left residents and businesses without connections.

A 26-year-old man from Margate, a 42-year-old man from Ashford and a 29-year-old man, also from Ashford, have been released on bail until February 7, pending further inquiries.

A fourth man, Tony Chantler, 23, of Pilgrim Spring, Folkestone, who was arrested in Neath, Wales, has already been charged with conspiracy to steal in connection with the incidents.

He appeared before Medway magistrates today to face the allegations where he was remanded in custody to appear next at Maidstone Crown Court on January 5.

There was outrage in Horsmonden when the village broadband was disrupted for the fifth time in three weeks by cable thefts.

At the time, an Openreach spokesman said: "We are really disappointed that people in Horsmonden and other parts of Kent are repeatedly bearing the brunt of criminal behaviour.

"These attacks have caused significant damage to our network and unacceptable disruption to the lives of local people through the loss of phone and broadband services."

The rising price of copper, which recently reached £8,000 a tonne, is said to heave made cable thefts more attractive to criminals.