MOTORISTS have been urged to keep their car keys safe in an attempt to cut crime.

The call from police, council officers and a victim of crime comes despite figures showing a fall in vehicle crime in the Harrogate district.

Last year, there were 761 reported incidents of vehicle crime in the area - 556 fewer than in the previous year.

But Robin Davies, Harrogate Borough Council's crime reduction officer, said motorists could reduce the figures still further by taking more care with their keys.

"Modern electronic immobilising systems fitted to high powered and luxury cars are very difficult to overcome," he said. "So thieves are getting round that by using more daring methods to steal the latest models.

"Thieves know that many of us simply drop our keys on the hall or kitchen table, or even throw them on the bottom of the stairs ready for a quick getaway for the morning rush to work and school. It is such an easy thing to remember on arriving home to put your keys safely out of sight."

A Harrogate resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, has told how she woke up to find both her family's cars had been stolen in the night.

"I only had my car for three weeks before someone stole our keys from our house without actually coming into the property,"she said.

Harrogate district safer communities partnership has relaunched its Keep Keys Safe information pack. It is available from Harrogate Police Station and Harrogate Council offices, or call (01423) 556986.