HOMEOWNERS are being advised to keep their car keys out of sight after the theft of an Audi A3 car in Wrecclesham this week.

The incident happened sometime overnight between 11pm on Monday and just after 6am on Tuesday when thieves managed to steal car keys from inside a house near to the A325 Wrecclesham Road.

The householder discovered his black Audi A3, worth around £8,000, had been stolen from outside the house when he came downstairs on Tuesday morning to find the front door open.

According to a post by the victim’s son on the ‘I Love Farnham Surrey’ Facebook page, the spare keys to the Audi (registration GY10 XYS) were “hooked” through the home’s letterbox.

Neighbourhood Inspector Mark Bridge said: “I am urging householders to be vigilant in ensuring doors are properly locked – with UPVC doors it is often necessary to use both the handle and a key lock.

“Another step to add to the night time security routine is to make sure car keys are kept safe and out of sight – remember if you can see anything through your letter box a burglar can get it.

“The most important message for anyone is to register their property at www.immobilise.com which is free of charge and can increase the chances of being reunited with your property. An app can be installed on your phone or tablet so that it can be traced.

“Just by following a few simple steps it could be possible to reduce your chance of becoming a victim of such a crime.”

Surrey Police also recommends the following advice:

• Fit and use window locks on ground floor windows

• Fit a letter box restrictor – this will prevent ‘key hooking’

• If you have a cat or dog flap ensure that the door it is fitted to have a dead lock and that you don’t leave the key in the door at night.

• Do not leave house or car keys close to doors - take them with you at night or store them away from general view.

• If you haven’t got an alarm on your house consider fitting one ensuring that you have a zone that allows the alarm to be set at night.

• Review your perimeter security: Can you and do you lock any driveway gates? Can you and do you keep your car in a locked garage at night? Consider a ‘Garage Defender’ – this is a device which will add additional security to garage doors. Is your garage alarmed - if not could you get it added to your house system on a zone? Is your drive illuminated/are your lights working/are the lights positioned to ensure that there are no dead areas?

• Consider fitting a ‘Tracker’ device to your car and ensure if it is one with an annual subscription that the subscription is up to date.

Anyone with information regarding this week’s theft is asked to call Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference 45160082521 or use the online reporting system found at report.police.uk and enter the reference number in the ‘Additional information’ section.