Monday, April 05, 2010 - 11:00 AM

As manufacturers have done more to make cars harder to steal, especially the top of the range models we have seen an increase in house burglaries where the purpose of the burglary is to find the car keys.
Investigations carried out recently into this criminal activity have shown that some of the offenders have been operating in this immediate area. Those of you living in roads where we know that there has been activity will already have received a warning letter from Kent police.
They are looking for the opportunity or perhaps lining up cars to take in the future, there are plenty to choose from in this part of Kent.
So many of us can be a little complacent when it comes to what we do with our car keys when we get home. It’s no good leaving them in view on a table or hook just inside the front door or even in the back of the door itself. The fruit bowl on the kitchen table or on top of the microwave with all the other junk, which collects there, well it does in my house. I am sure that most of us without too much trouble could come up with a list of the usual places where car keys are left, so can the criminals.
Hide keys away, don’t leave them on view or within reach of a letterbox. Make sure all your ground floor windows and doors are locked and secure before you retire for the night. If you can set your house alarm to cover the ground floor without too much inconvenience it may be advisable to do so. It’s worth remembering that if your car is on the drive overnight and the keys are in the house then in all likelihood you are probably at home and in bed.

Antony Wiles PC8024 – Borough Green
8024@kent.pnn.police.uk