Car key burglaries at record level

The number of break-ins for car keys in the West Midlands has tripled in the West Midlands, with a local locksmith telling us the number of lock-snapping incidents he attends now accounts for 95% of his business.

Our figures show there 3,994 car-key burglaries across the West Midlands in 2018.

That's an increase of more than 200% since 2014.

There have been more than 11,000 incidents across the region in past five years.

Claire, from Cradley, was woken in the middle of the night by thieves in her house.

They stole her car, then came back minutes later to try and find the keys to her husband's:

Car crime in the West Midlands has been called an "epidemic" by Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson:

“We know that much of the rise in vehicle theft is being driven by organised criminals who are often also linked to issues such as drugs, cannabis farms and county lines."

“West Midlands Police have been cracking down on ‘chop shops’, where vehicles are dismantled and used to repair cars which have been bought through salvage auctions.

“I have been running a national campaign to tackle vehicle crime. Including bringing together car manufacturers to challenge them on why so many of their vehicles seem to be stolen using security flaws in their ‘keyless’ technology.

“I am now working closely with the Government’s National Vehicle Crime Taskforce which is looking at how we can address vehicle crime from all angles; from criminals abusing the salvage industry to buy written off cars for cash, tightening vehicle security to legislative changes which will look at ensuring that all vehicles being put back on the road requiring a proper safety check and a new MOT.

The West Midlands force are offering tips on how to keep our homes secure, including the "27 Station Road" video, simulating a home burglary:

Dave Tolley, a locksmith in Rowley Regis, says he's attending more and more callouts where locks have been snapped to gain entry:

It's led police to reissue safety advice about fitting new locks - urging homeowners to replace standard locks with Anti-Snap ones:

If you are changing locks make sure the lock is tested to TS007 and achieve 3 Star standard. There are two ways to attain the TS007 3 Star standard:

Replace your existing cylinder with a TS007 3 Star Kitemarked cylinder.

The cylinder will clearly show the 3 Star Kitemark logo. It gives the highest level of security available with several layers of protection built in. You don't need to replace your existing handles.

Or replace your existing cylinder with a TS007 1 Star Kitemarked cylinder, and replace your door handles with TS007 2 Star Kitemarked handles. By combining a 1 Star Cylinder with 2 Star handles, you get the same 3 star rating.

Police have updated their general safety tips:

• Hide all keys out of sight and away from the letterbox (remember a device could be used to hook keys through the letterbox)

• Invest in a visual burglar alarm or CCTV

• Install good outside lighting and improve natural surveillance at the front of your property i.e. trim high hedges

• Leave radios or lights in your house on a timer to make the property appear occupied

• Use a steering lock on your car, it can make a huge difference, please remember to keep the key separate to your main set of keys

• Keep ladders and tools stored away; don’t leave them outside where they could be used to break into your home

• If you have a garage, always make sure your car is parked in it overnight

• Invest in a tracking device so if your car is stolen it stands a better chance of being traced. If your car is fitted with a tracking device, activate it every time

• Be alert when you are outside - consider who is around you and where your keys are

• Report any suspicious activity or interest in these types of cars to the police

• carkeyburglary
• WestMidlandsPolice