A SPATE of break-ins in the space of a fortnight in a Harpenden road has resulted in thieves driving off in the victims’ cars.

On two occasions, car keys appear to have been taken following burglaries in Derwent Road and on the third occasion, keys were fished out through the letterbox of the property.

The first break-in occurred over the weekend of December 29 and 30. The front door of a property in Derwent Road was forced and jewellery and a laptop stolen as well as a grey Vauxhall Astra which was driven out of the garage.

In the space of an hour between 8.20pm and 9.20pm on the same Sunday, December 30, the keys to a black Vauxhall Corsa and a black Mercedes were fished out through the letterbox of another property in Derwent Road and the vehicles driven off.

The most recent break-in occurred overnight last Sunday and Monday, January 13 and 14, when thieves used keys they had obtained to get into the garage and then into the house. They took car keys, a laptop and other items before making off in a black Ford Mondeo.

A police spokesmen confirmed they were investigating and appealed to anyone who saw the vehicles being taken to contact them on the non-emergency number 101 as soon as possible.

He went on: “Our Safer Neighbourhood Team will be visiting the area to offer crime prevention advice to residents. In particular we will be reminding residents of the importance of keeping car and house keys in a safe place in their homes.

“They should be kept out of sight and not on window sills or in porches, hallways or kitchens.”