Police are urging vehicle owners to keep their car keys in a secure place after a spate of burglaries.

North Yorkshire Police reported nine burglaries across the force in the last two weeks where criminals broke into houses to steal keys to vehicles.

Officers are carrying out extra patrols and targeting areas where there is an issue with this type of crime.

Detective Chief Inspector Keith Ruff, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “I advise homeowners to make life as difficult as possible for thieves.”