Crime prevention advice issued following burglaries involving key safes in Romsey

We are advising people to check their security, following a number of recent incidents involving key safes in Romsey.

On Sunday 24 March, at around 2.30am, a key safe was removed from the wall of a house in Hestia Close. The property was accessed and a car was then stolen from the driveway. (Reference: 44240125455)

Sometime between 11.30pm on Thursday 11 April and 8am the following day, an address in Portersbridge Street was accessed. Car keys were taken and the car was stolen. (Reference: 44240152774)

Between 10pm on Monday 22 April and 7.30am the following days, a key safe at an address in Middlebridge Street was damaged, and the property accessed. Four coats were stolen and then discarded outside the address. (Reference: 44240169534)

Sometime between 3.15pm on Monday 22 April and 8.30am the following day, a car was stolen from the driveway of an address in Middlebridge Street. (Reference: 44240170845)

On the night of Thursday 25 April, a lockbox was removed from the wall of a property in Cherville Street. Keys were stolen from inside the address. (Reference: 44240174386)

On the same night, a keysafe was damaged at a property in Crescent Road, North Baddesley, and tools were stolen. (Reference: 44240175076)

We would like to reassure you that officers are carrying out a number of enquiries into these incidents, including CCTV enquiries.

Anyone with information about any of these incidents should contact us by calling the 101, quoting the relevant crime reference number.

You can also report information using our website - https://www.hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

We will update you on our investigation when we can.

In the meantime, we would like to you to be aware of some safety advice regarding key safes.

Key safes are generally a reassurance and not a concern, however, we are concerned that key safes fixed on walls next to front doors are more likely to be targeted than those fixed around the back of a house or in a more obscure location.

To protect your home and belongings, consider relocating the key safe to somewhere less obvious and contact the company that makes your key safe and ask how it can be made more secure.

We understand that key safes are vital for some people in the community, however some of us might have them as a helpful back-up system for when we or members of our family lose keys. Consider taking the key out when you know you won’t need it, like at night when these burglaries have occurred.

To protect your home further against burglary, we would always recommend installing security lights, alarms and CCTV.

If you see anyone or any vehicles acting suspiciously, call 101 and report it. If you think a crime is taking place there and then, always call 999.