Thieves brought to hook

03rd October 2006

Here's a new way to give car crooks a right hook! This simple but clever gadget is part of a crime-busting scheme launched in villages around Hambleton, North York­shire, after £250,000 worth of luxury cars were taken in just a few weeks.

The local council is handing out special hooks to hang car keys on. A spring-loaded clip stops keys being taken with a rod poked through the letterbox - a common method of theft.

Homeowners have also been given leaflets warning them not to leave car keys lying around unprotected near the front door, and keyrings featuring the words 'Take Me To Bed' are also available. If successful, the scheme could spread across the county.

Carl Les, vice chairman of Hambleton's community safety partnership, said: "We must not make it easy for thieves."