US State Department spokesperson PJ Crowley has called for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to return the leaked US embassy cables, claiming they are "stolen property".

Mr Crowley also told World News America he was aware of certain people who were "at risk" as a result of the publication of the 250,000 secret diplomatic cables by the controversial website.

His comments came after the arrest of Mr Assange by British authorities on the request of Swedish prosecutors over allegations of rape and molestation. Mr Assange denies wrongdoing.