A 32-year-old man has been arrested after attempting to break into a rural home in Motu Rimu on New Years Day (1 Jan).

Police including a Police Dog Unit responded at about 11:50am, after the Motu Rimu Road homeowner reported seeing on their security cameras, an unknown man with tools trying to break-in.

The man fled the scene before Police arrived but was subsequently tracked to bushland north of the property where he was arrested.

The man appeared in the Invercargill District Court on a charge of Burglary yesterday.

Invercargill Police Sergeant Christopher Rigby said CCTV footage had proved invaluable in this case, alerting the homeowner to the man entering their property and allowing them to see the footage in real time.

Police recommend CCTV for any homeowner Rigby said, but especially for those living rurally.

Not only can it alert you as it is happening, but it is also a crucial tool in identifying offenders and it can provide critical evidence, Rigby said.