An intruder was met with a surprise when he broke into a law firm - to be apprehended by a senior partner working overtime.

Father-of-four Stephen Parry was working at Parry Law in Whitstable High Street at about 11am on Saturday when he heard noises from elsewhere in the building.

Thinking he had been alone, he went to investigate.

“It’s quite a large building, and I was upstairs when I heard footsteps,” said Mr Parry, who lives in Herne Bay.

“I went to have a look, and saw someone had broken in through the fire escape.

“I think he was quite surprised to meet someone.

"I don’t think he was expecting anyone to be here on Saturday morning.

“We had a conversation, and he was very sensible.

"I persuaded him to stay where he was until the police arrived. He allowed me to take a photo of him.”

Mr Parry says he is glad to have been in the building at the time.

“It’s the first time we’ve had a break-in,” he said.

“I’m very relieved. He didn’t take anything, there’s just a broken window that’s been boarded up.”

A 46-year-old man from London was arrested on suspicion of burglary and possession of cannabis.

Officers seized a small quantity of drugs along with a tool kit, laptop, tablets and memory cards.

When they arrived, they found a window had been smashed and attempts had been made to steal IT equipment.

The suspect has been released, pending further investigation.