Here’s an important warning from local police which reached me in the last couple of days – cars are being stolen by criminals fishing for keys through letterboxes again.

There is currently somewhat of a vehicle crime wave ongoing: Homes are being targeted for keys so it’s wise to be careful.

West Midlands Police said:

This is a general warning against leaving bunches of keys in front door locks – particularly if your car key is among them.  This morning the occupiers of a house in the Shelfield area awoke to find their BMW car gone after the keys, which were on a bunch including house keys that had been left in the front door lock, were fished through the letterbox.  

Never, ever leave keys hanging in door locks.  Place them away from doors and preferably out of sight.  

Check your home insurance as you may not be covered if you do leave keys in exterior door locks.

Take care folks, lock your cars, obviously, but ensure no tools or valuables are left in your vehicles overnight if at all passible and on these cold mornings, never, ever leave your car running unattended to warm it up.

If you’re offered gear like satnavs, computers or suchlike, think hard about where it might have come from, and by all means grub the people flogging them into the rozzers – the stuff is probably nicked. Next time, it could be your stuff they take.

One way you can keep up with local crime reports and advice is to sign up for WMNow, please do – it’s free and you can select to receive alerts on all kinds of local issues. It’s a fine thing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact West Midlands Police by dialling 101 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.