Posted on 6th February 2013
Police are reminding people not to leave their keys near cat flaps and letterboxes following several burglaries in Ripley.
Burglars have broken into homes recently by reaching through cat flaps, taking keys and letting themselves into the property.
The latest incident happened at around 4.30am on Friday, February 1, at a house in Priory Way. A couple heard a noise downstairs and went to investigate. They saw something being pushed through their cat flap and opened the door. They saw a man walking off down the driveway.
The couple soon realised their keys had been stolen.
Between 11pm on Wednesday, January 30 and 6.30am the following morning, a burglar reached through the cat flap at a house in Poppyfields and used a stick to hook the keys from a nearby table.
They then let themselves into the house and took items including an iPod, purses and ornaments while the homeowners were asleep.
Similar crimes happened in the town in December.
Officers are urging people to make sure their house and car keys are kept well away from cat flaps and letterboxes and that they are not left on display near windows.
Anyone with information about these crimes should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.