Owners of prestige cars in Wanstead and Woodford are being warned about the dangers of leaving their car keys close to their front doors.

The warning has been issued by police following a number of thefts of Mercedes cars in Redbridge, after crooks stole car keys by using fishing-rod style implements through letter boxes or after breaking through front doors.

Over the last three months 60 per cent of vehicles stolen by burglars taking car keys have been Mercedes models.

An Ilford police spokeswoman said: "Our statistics reveal there are over 1,000 people who own Mercedes cars in Redbridge and a huge number of them have been targeted over the past few months.

"Recent improvements in car security now mean that the easiest way to steal a car is to steal the keys for it. Burglars and thieves are now targeting and burgling houses with cars on the driveway or even in the garage."

She said the most common methods of obtaining keys were by forcible entry, sneaking in or by "fishing" for the keys with a rod or cane through the letterbox, catflap or open window.

Car owners are being urged not to leave keys on open view in the kitchen or on the hall table and to avoid leaving house keys hanging inside the front or back door.

Residents are advised to put keys out of sight and if possible in a secure place, such as a key cabinet or locked cupboard.

Householders should also consider fitting some additional physical security to their cars, even when parked at home, such as gear locks, steering wheel locks or wheel clamps.