Warning after 2-in-1 Burglaries
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Police are warning after a number of recent 2-in-1 burglaries across the Cleveland force area.
A 2-in-1 burglary is when someone gains access to a property and steals the car keys and subsequently a vehicle.
26 of these crimes have been reported since 1st December 2022, which eleven suspects arrested.
The incidents have primarily taken place in the Berwick Hills and Pallister areas of Middlesbrough, but there have also been reports of offences in Stockton and Hartlepool.
Fourteen of the vehicles have since been recovered by police.
Officers would advise people to keep doors and windows locked even when at home, use key safes or use anti-theft key pouches to help prevent keyless thefts.
Police also remind people to be aware of storing keys away from mail boxes, as some criminals use hooks to try to reach keys via letter boxes to steal vehicles.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.