POLICE are appealing for witnesses and information following a burglary in which two expensive cars were stolen from a driveway. The burglars broke into a house in Hardwicke Place, London Colney, through the front door between overnight on Monday. They th

POLICE are appealing for witnesses and information following a burglary in which two expensive cars were stolen from a driveway.

The burglars broke into a house in Hardwicke Place, London Colney, through the front door between overnight on Monday. They then took the car keys from the hallway and made off with the blue Mercedes and a blue BMW parked on the drive.

Investigating officer, Pc Vincent O'Malley, urged any witnesses to call the police on 0845 33 00 222 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

He said: "We would advise the public not to leave their car keys in view in hallways if possible as this makes it very easy for burglars to also remove vehicles once they have gained entry to a property."

Pc O'Malley also issued the following safety advice.

* Make sure you double-lock any UPVC doors by lifting the handle and locking it with the key (to engage the security features) before you go to bed or leave your home.

* Check all doors are locked and all windows, including those upstairs, are secure before you go out.

* Consider installing alarms and "dusk-to-dawn" security lighting.

* Secure your rear garden - lock your shed, shut and lock any gates and keep fences maintained. Don't leave ladders and tools outside - they could be used by a burglar.

* Use timer switches on lamps to give the impression someone is at home.

* At home, keep all loose valuables out of sight of any would-be thieves.

* Don't leave boxes by the recycling bin which advertise to thieves what's available in your home.

* Post code mark your valuables with a UV pen and register them on a free property database like www.immobilise.com - this can work as a deterrent to thieves and can increase the chances of your property being recovered if it is stolen.