HOW safe is your car when you are at home?
That’s the question police officers in Mid Cheshire are asking all residents.
There is a growing trend of thieves taking vehicles using the hook and cane method.
This involves an instrument, usually a narrow rod with a metal hook attachment, being thrust through letterboxes to take car keys which have been left on view.
Several cars are stolen in this way each week, yet with a little more caution from householders this form of theft could be almost eradicated.
Det Sgt Steve Holliwell of the Pro-active Policing Team said: “Hook and cane thefts are becoming increasingly common, but they are easily avoidable.
“I would ask all car owners to think more about where they leave their keys.
“I understand it is convenient to leave keys near to doors as they can be picked up on the way out of the house.
“Unfortunately this is also convenient for the opportunistic thieves who specialise in this form of crime.
“I would advise never to leave car or house keys in open view, particularly if they can be seen through a window or letterbox and are accessible to someone using a hook and cane.
“The safest method of storage is to keep keys in a box or other method of storage well out of the line of sight of prying eyes.”
Of course there will always be those who will go to greater lengths to steal cars.
DS Holliwell added: “We have also seen recent incidents where thieves have broken into houses to steal car keys and then the vehicles themselves.
“In many cases victims have left their front or back doors unlocked, allowing the thieves easy access to the house. Simply locking doors and windows can reduce the chance that you will become a victim of these despicable criminals.
“This type of crime usually involves high value vehicles and again keeping keys out of sight can deter thieves.”
