WILY burglars are stealing car keys before fleeing with vehicles parked on their victims' drives.

Since the beginning of April this year, 156 car key burglaries have been reported to West Mercia police prompting officers to issue a warning.

Families are being urged to thwart these thieves by hiding their keys out of sight and, if possible, to lock their cars away in a garage.

Det Chief Insp Mark Hambling, of West Mercia police, said: "We welcome the fact that improved vehicle security systems are helping to drive down thefts of cars nationally.

"However, we're concerned that, because it's becoming more difficult for criminals to use traditional methods of stealing vehicles, they're now gaining access to people's homes to find the keys.

High performance

"Initially, criminal gangs were using this method to take selected high performance cars which would be used in other crimes, such as robbery.

"While this trend is continuing, it's now also spreading to thieves stealing a wide range of vehicles for their own use or to sell on."

Det Chief Insp Hambling said that the main problems were occurring in areas with easy access to the motorway network, such as north and south Worcestershire, and those bordering the West Midlands.

"We're working closely with West Midlands Police and other local forces to gather and exchange intelligence on those involved and to mount operations to target criminals moving around the region committing crimes of this nature.

"The police regularly carry out checks on key routes in and out of the area and we have succeeded in making a number arrests of individuals involved in offences of this nature.

"However, in view of the fact that thieves are more frequently turning to this method of stealing vehicles, it's important that members of the public are aware of these activities and take common sense precautions to combat car key burglars."

Police have issued the following advice to combat car key burglars:

1. If you have a garage, use it, do not leave your car on the driveway.

2. Should you have to park your car outside, fit it with a good alarm and leave it in a well-lit location.

3. If your car is particularly valuable, consider fitting a "tracker" device.

4. Ensure the doors and windows of your house are locked and secure, even if you're at home. In many cases, thieves have sneaked in through an open window or unlocked door to snatch car keys.

5. If you have a zone alarm system fitted in your home ensure it is switched on when you go to bed.

6. Do not leave car keys on view.