Avon and Somerset Police are advising local residents to keep their keys safe after a number of car key burglaries in Bath and the surrounding areas during the past week.
The four isolated incidents have happened in Bath, Bristol and Yeovil over the last week.
In a couple of cases, keys were left hung up near a front door and burglars have used implements to reach them through the letterbox.
In one of the thefts, the keys were left on display in the window sill and the offenders broke in via a window to steal them.
Another incident involved burglars spotting house keys that were left in a car outside and using them to break into the house and steal the car keys in order to take the car.
DCI Gary Haskins said: “With the improved security of modern cars thieves increasingly target the keys, including breaking into homes or fishing through letterboxes to get them.
“Your keys are worth as much as your car. Always put them securely away out of sight – never leave them in the back of a door or within view through the letterbox or window.
“Always lock your car, even if you’re only leaving it for a few moments, and never leave any valuables on view inside.”
