The cost of car security - Introduction

Car thieves are getting more and more ruthless: if they see a car they want on your drive, they won't think twice about breaking into your home to get the keys.

That's why it's vital motorists take care of their car keys.

Avon and Somerset Police have noticed a trend towards house burglaries just to get hold of car keys. Also, a study of car thefts in Greater Manchester found that for cars registered after 1997, the keys were used in 85% of incidents where the method of theft was known.

Nearly 4% of burglaries to London homes last year were for car keys, according to DCI Stuart Dark, head of the Metropolitan Police's Stolen Vehicle Unit. A study by the Met Police revealed that while most car key crime occurs when people are loading or unloading their cars, one in three stolen car keys is taken from the owner's home.

So what can you do about it? Read on to find out how to keep your car safe.