‘Beware of key thieves’ (From This Is Lancashire)

‘Beware of key thieves’

7:29am Wednesday 19th September 2012 in News

A PENSIONER is urging people to be careful with their keys after thieves stole hers as she was unpacking her shopping.

Joan Brown let herself into her home and left the keys in the door as she took her shopping inside.

The 78-year-old, who lives in Farnworth, was horrified to discover her keys, which included the ones for her car, had gone when she went to take them out of the door last Thursday.

Now the pensioner is struggling to get around as she relied on her Fiat Bravo.

Mrs Brown said: “I went inside and let my dog out. I went upstairs and when I went back to the door, the keys had gone.

“It was my fault for leaving them but I would warn people to be more careful and not give people the chance to take things like this.

“I have not got anyone who can help me. It is going to cost £2,000 to change the locks on the car and I don’t have that sort of money.

“I think it was probably kids messing about and they could have just thrown the keys away somewhere.

“I am appealing for anyone who may have found them to please hand them into the police.

“The car is not worth much in monetary value, but to me it is everything. Without my car I am lost.”

Police have been carrying out a number of operations in the area, particularly targeting burglary and theft offences.

Officers are encouraging people to join or set up home watch schemes to look out for each other.

They also carry out “cocooning” after a burglary, telling people about what has happened to their neighbours and how they can prevent being a victim of crime.

Anyone with information about Mrs Brown’s missing keys should contact police on 101