HIDE your keys, is the message from police after a ‘fishing’ burglary saw two cars stolen in Heighington on Monday.

A white BMW X5 – registration ND64 FRK – and a red BMW convertible, registration NJ57 KFC, were stolen from a property on Greenhill Road.

Police believe thieves got into the owner’s house by after using a stick or similar implement to ‘fish’ through the letterbox, hooking the house keys.

Durham Constabulary detective constable Neil Stannard said: “Once in, the thieves were able to take both sets of car keys and remove the vehicles.

“We would like to take this opportunity to remind people to take care when securing homes and leave both house and car keys out of reach of letterboxes.”

Anyone with information is asked to call DC Stannard on 101, quoting ref: 100 of November 8 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.