Swindon-based computer experts are concerned about the realism of scenes in the new movie The Matrix Reloaded.

The British Computer Society is concerned that hackers may pick up on what is shown in the film, which has just opened in Swindon cinemas.

The organisation is now warning hackers they could be sent to prison.

BCS spokesman Christopher Webb said: "There is evidence to suggest that after the release of any film which involves computers or computer hacking there is an increase in the amount of IT crime.

"Obviously our main concerns are that the film is glamorising the hacking of computer systems and that may appeal to younger computer users.

"The technology to track and trace hackers has improved enormously over the past few years and chances of being caught have increased."

He added: "Most hacking takes place either for commercial or mischievous reasons, or even if people have particular political or corporate views. Recently the courts have come down hard on hackers and particularly the creators of viruses giving them prison sentences in some cases."

One of the first movies to show hacking was the film Wargames in which a teenager manages, purely by accident to hack into the Pentagon and nearly start World War III.

Hacking is a means of gaining access to computer files or a network.

The BCS, in Sanford Street, says businesses and other organisations are as much to blame as hackers themselves by not always taking the necessary precautions including the installation of firewalls to protect from hackers.