POLICE are warning car owners in the Selby district to be careful about where they leave their car keys.

Prestige cars including Audis, BMWs and Volvos have been stolen in the area in the last few months.

Selby Community Safety Officer PC Wayne Leach said that thieves steal the car keys to overcome the vehicle's sophisticated security system, often by entering the owner's home or workplace.

He urged owners to keep their car keys safe and secure at all times and not to leave them lying around on kitchen work surfaces or office desks.

He said: "Thieves in some cases have simply walked into houses through insecure doors, taken the keys and driven away with the vehicle. Other criminals have broken into a property with the sole intention of taking the keys and stealing the motor vehicle."

He said that some of the stolen vehicles are used in organised crime and many are never seen again.

He added that owners should secure their car in a garage if possible and always use an alarm or immobiliser if leaving the vehicle unattended.

Updated: 12:59 Thursday, December 19, 2002