Man 'viewed child porn' in cafe

A 43-year-old man has been charged after he was caught accessing child pornography on the internet in an Alice Springs cafe.

Staff at the cafe contacted police shortly before 1pm (CST) yesterday to say that a customer appeared to viewing child pornography online.

When detectives arrived at the premises the man was still at the computer, police said.

He was arrested and later charged with possessing child pornography and has been bailed to appear in the Alice Springs Magistrates Court on December 18.

Detective Senior Sergeant David Chalker, from the Regional Investigations Division, today praised the staff for their quick thinking.

"Because of their timely report to police, we were able to arrest this man while he was still on the computer," he said in a statement.

The detective said the arrest should act as a reminder that child pornography can be easily accessed.

"Parents, in particular, should be aware of the internet sites that their children are accessing, and who they are talking with online," he said.