Car owners in southern Oxfordshire have been warned to be on their guard following a spate of vehicle thefts.

Police said that thieves broke into occupied houses -- often at night -- and stole keys for vehicles left outside.

In the past 12 months, almost 50 cases were reported from the region.

Patrick Leafe, a Thames Valley Police civilian crime reduction analyst based in Abingdon, said car keys were often left on open display and easy to find.

He said: "New cars have very sophisticated locks, immobilisers and other security devices. The only way to start the vehicle is to have a key, so I advise people to make sure car keys are out of sight and kept in a safe and secure place.

"Do not leave them in obvious places, such as on hooks in the kitchen."

"The majority of these offences occur during the night when homes are occupied and the car is at the property. High value cars are the main target, but all cars are at risk."

Mr Leafe advised owners to make sure, where possible, that cars were kept in garages to keep them out of sight.

He added that people ought to consider fitting an electric door to their garage or substantial gates and security lights if a car had to be parked in a driveway.

For more advice on security matters, call 01235 556855.