OWNERS of cars are being urged to safeguard their keys from eagle-eyed burglars.Police in the county s central division have issued the warning after recent thefts where burglars have used tools to get keys off hooks just inside homes.Since March, 13 cr

OWNERS of cars are being urged to safeguard their keys from eagle-eyed burglars.

Police in the county's central division have issued the warning after recent thefts where burglars have used tools to get keys off hooks just inside homes.

Since March, 13 crimes have been reported to police where a burglar has used a pole or stick through a letter box. In four of these incidents the thief was successful in taking the car keys, and then the cars.

Between 9am and 1pm on Wednesday, August 20, in March High Street, keys were stolen from a locked house. They were on a ledge inside the front door. A blue Renault Clio was then stolen and later found abandoned at March Bowls Club in The Avenue.

Between midnight and 7.10am on Wednesday, (August 27) keys were stolen from a house in Cowper Court, Eaton Ford, in St Neots. It is believed the offender used the letter box to reach the keys. A silver Audi A4 was stolen.

Between the same times there was an attempt to steal the keys from another house in this street.

Crime Reduction Officer Julie Collins said: "People are advised to keep their keys in a place which is not near to the entrances and exits of their home. This is especially important if residents have things like cat flaps.

"It is surprising how far a skilled burglar can reach into homes with just a pole, so people need to take precautions."

Anyone with information about these thefts should contact police on 0845 456 456 4 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111