An intruder was arrested outside the house of England soccer captain David Beckham, police said, and the British tabloid The Sun reported he was preparing to set fire to the mansion.

Police in Hertfordshire said the man was arrested at the Beckhams' house on Sunday evening on "suspicion of possession of a controlled drug and suspicion of possession of an article to cause criminal damage".

"Security guards in the grounds of the house had detained the intruder -- a 38-year-old man from Harlow," said a spokesman. He was armed with a crowbar and a can of petrol, The Sun reported on Tuesday.

Beckham was away at the time, but his popstar wife Victoria and their sons, Romeo and Brooklyn, were inside the residence, known locally as Beckingham Palace, it added.

The Beckhams are said to have spent millions of pounds on security following allegations of a plot to kidnap Victoria in November 2002.

Police said the intruder had been released on bail pending further enquiries and was due to reappear at Harlow police station on September 24.