The number of cars stolen after the keys were taken in a domestic robbery has risen by 15 per cent in the past year, according to figures by motor insurance provider AA Insurance .
Last year, 18,500 people had their cars stolen in this way, with more robberies taking place in London than anywhere else and the motor insurance provider has offered tips to prevent this from happening.
Keeping the car locked in a garage will prevent those who gain access to the keys from using them, as well as reducing premiums on motor insurance, and avoiding leaving the keys in an obvious place, such as by the front door, has also been recommended by AA .
Simon Douglas, director of the motor insurance provider, said: "We are certainly seeing more claims where cars have been taken following a confrontation or where customers have found their car has disappeared off the drive and the keys have gone because their home was broken into."
Recent crime statistics from the British police force showed that the number of home break-ins between October and December last year was up by four per cent, the second consecutive quarterly rise of that amount.




