Vehicle Key Burglaries

Neighbourhood Matters – Vehicle Key Burglaries 

Message from West Mercia Police

We are advising residents of a recent increase in car key burglaries in the area. Offenders are entering homes—often overnight—to steal vehicle keys before taking the vehicle.

West Mercia Police’s Rural & Business Crime Team (RBCT) has highlighted that these offences commonly occur where vehicles use keyless entry systems and keys are left near doors or windows.

 Crime Prevention Advice (RBCT Recommended)

Residents are urged to take the following steps:

·  Keep vehicle keys well away from doors, windows, and letterboxes

·  Store keys in a signal-blocking Faraday pouch to prevent relay theft

·  Ensure all external doors and windows are securely locked, even when at home

·  Use intruder alarms, particularly night-time settings

·  Consider motion-activated lighting at the front and rear of your property

·  If possible, park vehicles in a locked garage

·  Where keyless entry vehicles are used, contact your dealer about disabling keyless entry when not required

·  Avoid leaving spare keys in obvious or predictable locations

The RBCT also advises residents to work together as a community:

·  Speak to neighbours about keeping valuables secure

·  Report unfamiliar vehicles or people seen acting suspiciously, particularly during late evening or early morning hours

 Suspicious Activity

If you see anything suspicious or believe someone is attempting to gain access to properties or vehicles:

·  Call 999 if a crime is in progress

·  Report non-emergency incidents via 101 or www.police.uk

·  CCTV, doorbell, and dash‑cam footage can be extremely valuable to enquiries

Your vigilance and support help protect not only individual properties, but the wider community.