Police in Wyre are urging residents and motorists to keep their car keys secure to avoid becoming a victim of burglars who break into houses with the sole intention of stealing high powered or high value motor vehicles following a spate of thefts in the area.
The most recent incident was reported to police on Thursday 14 October, after a black Audi Q7 and a black Mercedes C180 were stolen from an address on Little Poulton Lane sometime between 11.00pm on Wednesday 13th October and 12.45am the following morning.
The offenders gained access through secure patio doors before stealing two sets of keys from a downstairs room and driving off in the owner’s cars that were parked on the driveway.
This crime follows an earlier incident on 27th September when a black Range Rover Sport was stolen from a house on Garstang Road, Pilling in similar circumstances.
Police are also investigating an attempted burglary at an address on Meadow Lane in Hambleton on 11th October where officers believe the target was the owner’s VW Golf parked on the driveway.
Sergeant Andy Hoyle from Wyre CID said: “There is no doubt that some criminals are targeting houses where this type of vehicle is parked and clearly visible during the hours of darkness, especially in quiet, rural areas.
“Where possible we would recommend that owners of this type of vehicle garage or park them out of sight of the road.
“As always, I would ask home owners to pay particular attention to the security of the house when locking up for the night.
“Additionally if they do own high value cars then they should consider placing the keys in a secure location or taking them upstairs with them. Please do not leave keys on view, especially on kitchen work surfaces, hall tables or close to any external doors.
“In most cases these offenders are entering properties with the sole purpose of searching the downstairs rooms for the keys and then making off with the vehicle.”
• Anyone with any information about these offences should contact police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.