Recent car key burglaries in the Towcester area

This is a message from Northamptonshire West Police on behalf of Towcester Rural Safer Community Team (SCT)

Residents in a number of villages around Towcester are asked to be on their guard against car key burglary, following a recent increase in this type of criminality.

Since March, eighteen burglaries of this type have been reported.

Car key burglaries usually occur overnight - methods of getting into properties range from simply walking in through an insecure door to fishing the door keys through the letterbox with a hook.

There were four such burglaries in Greens Norton last week, and one in Whittlebury. Over the past few weeks they have taken place in Deanshanger, Towcester, Astcote, Roade, Quinton, Pattishall and Hartwell.

Residents in these villages and areas should be particularly aware of any suspicious activity, and be extra vigilant regarding the security of their properties.

Tips to protect against car key burglary are as follows:

• Keep your doors and windows locked at all times, even when you are at home
• Always park your car in your garage if you have one. If not, ensure the car is parked on your driveway
• Always keep your car locked, even if it is in your garage, and consider fitting a tracker device, alarm and immobiliser
• Keep your keys out of sight and reach from doors and windows at all times
• Do not keep house keys in the lock but do ensure that you can find them easily in the event of an emergency