Ray Markham said footballs had been flying into his garden for years but when one smashed into his greenhouse last month he refused to return it.

The 68-year-old, who lives next to a policeman in Cubbington, said he was then arrested by four Warwickshire Police officers for theft of the ball.

Warwickshire Police said it was keen to resolve the matter with Mr Markham.

It's laughable really, if it wasn't serious it would be laughable

Ray Markham

Mr Markham said: "If it hadn't been a policeman next door let's be honest, I wouldn't have had four policeman on my doorstep, I wouldn't have seen a policeman.

"They can't come out to burglaries, do you think they would've come out, four policeman to collect a ball?

"It's laughable really, if it wasn't serious it would be laughable."

A Warwickshire Police spokesman said: "It's our intention to resolve the matter amicably at a local level.

"If Mr Markham is unhappy with the course of action taken he should contact the professional standards department at police headquarters and the matter will be further investigated."