Don’t let the thief steal your car keys Police warn
Submitted: 01/07/2003 14:57:06
Police in Woking are again urging owners of high-powered performance cars such as Porsches, Mercedes, Audis and BMW’s, to hide their car keys to prevent the cars being stolen.
This follows recent incidents in Knaphill where thieves have broken into properties, stolen the keys to expensive cars parked on the driveway and then made off in the car.
The first incident happened sometime during the night of 25 June in Silistria Close, Knaphill. Someone broke into the house, found the keys to a Blue BMW which were left in a pot in the hallway and then used the keys to drive the car away.
Later on that night at around 1am at a house in Cavell Way, Knaphill, an offender reached through the letterbox and stole a set of keys to a Blue Mercedes. As the keys were placed on a low table next to the front door it was easy for the thief to reach in and grab them. The offender then used the keys to make off in the Mercedes which was parked on the driveway.
A further attempt was made to steal a Mercedes in Percheron Drive, Knaphill in the early hours of Thursday morning (26 June) but fortunately the thief ran off when he was disturbed by the home owner.
DS Brendan Collins from Woking Police, who is treating these crimes as linked, said: “ This type of crime is becoming increasingly common as car security systems become more sophisticated. It’s easier to steal a car by taking the car keys rather than breaking into the car. We are determined to crack down on the car thief who causes misery and disruption for those affected. We are urging owners of high performance cars to hide keys away out of sight of windows and doors. Don’t use the obvious places such as pots and tins by the door or in the hallway as these are the first places burglars will look. Car owners should also be alert when parking their cars on their driveways and always make sure they are left locked.”
Anybody with any information that could help police catch those responsible for the car thefts should contact DS Brendan Collins on 0845 125 2222. Alternatively calls can be made to Surrey Crimestoppers anonymously and free of charge on 0800 555 111.
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