THE owners of expensive cars are being warned to keep their keys safe after two BMWs were stolen.

The cars were taken from outside their owners' homes in Earswick, near York, on Wednesday night.

Thieves reached through either the letterbox or cat flap and took the keys to a silver 5 Series saloon and a metallic-blue 323 CI coup.

There were also signs of tampering with letterboxes at the homes of other BMW owners in Earswick.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police advised the owners of high-value cars tokeep their keys in a safe place well inside the house.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Earswick area on Wednesday night is asked to call police on (01904) 669884.