GOOGLE may be mapping the streets of the Western world but the good folk of Broughton, in Buckinghamshire, England, don't want a bar of it.

The Google Street View car was blocked from filming last week by angry residents, led by Paul Jacobs, who alerted neighbours after spotting the car from his window.

"I don't have a problem with Google wanting to promote villages. What I have a problem with is the invasion of privacy, taking pictures directly into the home," Mr Jacobs told the BBC.

"We've already had three burglaries locally in the past six weeks. If our houses are plastered all over Google it's an invitation for more criminals to strike."

Mr Jacobs called police, who arrived to find a crowd in dispute with the Google driver, but the car moved on.

Google Street View was set up in Britain last month with the aim of providing 360-degree views of streets all over Britain. The project has been strongly criticised by Privacy International, a pressure group that has launched legal action against the IT company.

But Google is confident the new mapping project is within the law.

"Before launching Street View we sought the guidance and approval of the Information Commissioner's Office. The ICO has repeatedly made clear that it believes that Street View includes the safeguards necessary to protect people's privacy," a spokesman said.

Google is already mapping streets in Australia.