HIGH value cars are being targeted by 'unprofessional' car key burglars using a 'lock snapping' tool to break into homes in a Worcestershire village waking up one homeowner who raised the alarm.
Two attempted car key burglaries occurred in Inkberrow, near Worcester, over the weekend as police warn homeowners to take precautions while they seek the offenders.
Meanwhile, three suspected car key burglars were arrested for unrelated break-ins in Worcestershire and are now in custody at Worcester Police Station.
One attempted break in happened in the early hours of Sunday, September 29 at Bredon Close in Inkberrow. A second attempted car key burglary happened at Brecon Close on the same day with the suspects attempting to gain entry by breaking in through the utility room door.
However, they failed to get inside or steal any cars from the village.
A successful car key burglary then occurred at Nightingale Lane, Cleeve Prior, on Sunday night also using a lock snapping tool, which resulted in a BMW 1 series being stolen.
DI Dave Knight of Proactive CID said West Mercia Police was linking the two attempted burglaries in Inkberrow and the successful car key burglary in Cleeve Prior through the modus operandi (use of a lock snapping tool), the locations targeted but also by the 'relatively unprofessional ability of the burglars'.
"They tried two homes in Inkberrow and did not get in which is good news for the victims but bad news for the burglars," he said.
DI Knight, based at Worcester Police Station, added: "There's no greater disruption than realising someone is trying to break into your house in the early hours of the morning when you're sleeping. It's a shocking crime that is sometimes underestimated in terms of the impact it can have on people's sense of security."
This morning (Wednesday) officers from South Worcestershire Proactive CID carried out dynamic warrants in Worcestershire as part of an operation to tackle car key burglaries.
Arrests were made of two adult males, one in Harvington and the other in Badsey Lane, Evesham while a third suspect, a 16-year-old youth from Stratford-upon-Avon, was also arrested.
These were dynamic (forced entry) warrants led by South Worcestershire Proactive CID.
RECOMMENDED READING: Burglaries in Worcester investigated by West Mercia Police
RECOMMENED READING: Argos burglar among those now behind bars as 4 jailed
"At the moment, we don't believe the three in custody are involved in the offences we had over the weekend," said DI Knight.
He also urged people to deadlock doors at night, put car keys in a Faraday bag and to make use of a garage if homeowners have one available.
"Report any suspicious activity, such as anyone following you home, to the police," he said.
The public is advised to call West Mercia Police on the non-emergency number 101 if they have information which would assist with these burglaries. In the event of a burglary in progress, the advice is to ring 999 as soon as possible.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here