A man has been arrested after being found removing sleepers from a rail line in Awakeri, and 26 already loaded onto a trailer.

Police were called at about 1.40am on Monday by a member of the public who reported suspicious behaviour near the intersection of Awakeri Road and Western Drain Road.

Whakatāne Senior Sergeant James Renwick said the man was arrested at the scene.

He was charged with theft and is due to appear before Whakatāne District Court.

The rail line is not in service.