Warwickshire Police

This is a term that is now being used for a burglary at a house where the sole reason for entering the premises is to steal the car keys for the vehicle. Over recent years car manufacturers have made vehicle security a priority with more and more sophisticated systems in place to stop theives being able to take the car.

As a result criminals have resorted to more elaborate ways of stealing vehicles.

It is very important that vehicle owners are aware of this and take extra precautions to limit becoming a victim of car key burglary.

The persons who want these vehicles are professionals, the vehicles are either stolen to order or to be used in other serious crimes.

Offenders have been known to cruise locations looking for the vehicles to target and follow them back to their overnight address.

To minimise the risk of car key burglary:

• Park your vehicle in a secure garage overnight.
• On entering the house lock the front door behind you.
• Never leave your car keys near a door or window. Criminals can hook keys through open windows and letterboxes.
• Keep them in a safe place away from doors and windows there they can be seen. People have stolen keys without even entering the premises
• Invest in a good quality home security system.
• Install security lights to the front and rear of your property and consider installing CCTV cameras.
• Gate your driveway if possible.

The most important advice must be if you are threatened with violence for your car keys is to hand them over do not put yourself at risk