Amazing but true!!

[Big_M]

www.thisisessex.co.uk/essex/news/NEWS21.html

Essex: Letterbox looter warning
Brought to you by the Evening Gazette
Homeowners across Essex have been warned to be on their guard for a "letterbox looter" who uses a rod to steal car keys through letterboxes in the dead of night.

The thief has struck four times during the last week on the Kings Park Village estate in Braintree, making of with three valuable cars, and police fear the thief may continue the crime spree in a different part of Essex.

A police spokesman said: "While the occupants are sleeping, it is believed the thief uses a rod with a hook, gripper device or magnet at the end."

"This is pushed through the letterbox to take car keys left on furniture near the front door."

None of the stolen cars have been recovered by police.


Published Tuesday, June 4, 2002

[ultimapaul]

This happened to a mate of mine in Cheshire. They got away with his 40k Landcruiser. Not best pleased. No sign of the car in about 6 weeks now!

[Roadrunner]

It's mad the lengths some will go to. I've heard stories of burglars breaking in to houses to confront their sleeping occupants for car keys! Luckily I live in a quiet little village, but I'll be keeping some defence under the bed just in case.

[TJMurphy]

Also happened to a mate of mine. His Renault Espace was taken from the front of his house in Putney. Was found burnt out about a month later. It was the police who explained how it was done - this was the first I'd heard of it and was over a year ago now. Shame it's taken the media this long to catch up.

[gtir]

quote:
Also happened to a mate of mine. His Renault Espace was taken from the front of his house in Putney. Was found burnt out about a month later. It was the police who explained how it was done - this was the first I'd heard of it and was over a year ago now. Shame it's taken the media this long to catch up.

Now we will see a spate of this crimes. Thanks media, what would we do without you.

[JMGS4]

Simple solution to a very simple crime, put a letter BOX inside your door, instead of a slit to drop things through. Cost Minimal, effect... no grabbers......

[smeagol]

Even cheaper, don't put your keys where they can reach them through a letterbox.

[Leithen]

Alteratively, park £50k car in driveway, place keys prominently on table next to door in full sight and easy reach of letterbox. Then take one mains cable and connect to keys......

[Don]

This is why you need a garage. Stick car in garage. Lock garage. Stick keys in key rack well out of the way.

The scrotes don't see the car so they're not tempted to break in and mug you in your own home for the keys.

Only other help in this is Tracker. Call 'em. Say car is nicked. Car found in half an hour. Scrotes in jail. Result.