CAR owners are being warned to keep their vehicles in garages, if possible, and keys well out of sight after recent thefts.

Two burglaries in the Wychavon area in the last week saw car keys taken and then vehicles stolen from the drive or garage.

And police are warning motorists that opportunist thieves working in Worcestershire may strike again.

"We want people to know that these types of offences are occurring across Worcestershire," said Wychavon Intelligence Officer PC Dave Weaver.

"It seems there are groups of thieves who are targeting key areas which include both the Droitwich and the Evesham areas."

On Thursday, April 17, between 6.30pm and 11.30pm, burglars broke into a house in Cutnall Green, Droitwich, stole the keys of a green Land Rover Discovery from the house and then drove off in the vehicle.

Three days later, between 11.30pm on Sunday, April 20, and 7.45am on Monday, April 21, thieves took a blue Audi TT from outside a house in Cornfield Way, Ashton-under-Hill, near Evesham.

At present police do not think the incidents are linked, and both vehicles were later discovered in other parts of the country.

"We are working with our colleagues in West Midlands, Warwickshire and Staffordshire to build up crime patterns and analyse the offences that have occurred," said PC Weaver.

"It is advisable that people do not leave the keys to their cars near to their front door and if you have a garage, then its best to keep the car locked in it. It is also sensible to keep keys out of plain sight."

Anyone who thinks they may have seen either vehicle being stolen or anyone acting suspiciously in the areas at the time of the thefts should contact the police on 08457 444888.