Police: 'Watch the keys' (From Witney Gazette)

Police: 'Watch the keys'

2:29pm Tuesday 27th March 2007 in Witney By Tim Hughes

THIEVES stole a car and motorcycle in Witney after breaking in through a front door letterbox.

Householder Neil McMartin, an engineer at BMW in Cowley, Oxford, said he felt 'sickened' by the break-in at his home, which took place while he was sleeping upstairs.

He said thieves got into his house overnight by reaching through a letterbox in the centre of the door. Once inside, they emptied a key rack in the hall, taking keys for a black Mini Cooper and a red Ducati motorbike, which was locked up in the back garden.

They then left, taking the car, the motorcycle and Mr McMartin's biking gear, including gloves, boots and a black-and-silver 'Roof' crash helmet.

After leaving, they double-locked the front door - leaving Mr McMartin trapped in the house, in Thorney Leys.

Police said on Monday they had recovered the motorcycle, somewhere outside West Oxfordshire, and are appealing for witnesses to the theft, which took place overnight between Sunday, March 18, and Monday, March 19. The car is still missing.

Mr McMartin said: "I didn't hear anything overnight, but in the morning, all the keys on the key rack were gone. They had also doubled-locked the front door, locking me in. They must have done that to make it easy for them to get away.

"I am still very uneasy. I now go to the window about five times before I go to bed."

And he offered the following advice to householders: "Lock your door with a key, and fit a box on the back of your letterbox."

Crime reduction adviser for Witney police, Bill Butcher, said: "Please don't make it easy for burglars to enter your home. Always make sure your keys are somewhere safe and out of sight from prying eyes. My advice to residents is to take your keys upstairs with you when you go to bed.

"Also try not to leave car keys near to front doors where they can be 'fished' or 'hooked' out through the letterbox."

Anyone with information is asked to call PC Rob Stubley, via the Police Enquiry Centre, on 08458 505505. Alternatively, call the charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.