Wolverhampton is 10th worst in country for car key raids

Car key burglars are increasingly targeting homes in Wolverhampton, which is now one of the worst areas in the country for the raids, security bosses said today.

Sixteen homes were targeted in one month in the city over the summer, with thieves stealing cars to order or to break down for parts.

Vehicle security firm Tracker said cars worth £3.4 had been stolen nationwide in the second quarter of the year.Audi, Mercedes and BMW are still thieves' favourite targets, with houses with more than one high value car most at risk.

The security firm said Wolverhampton was now the 10th worst hit area in the country, behind Birmingham in fifth place and London at the top of the table.

Sixteen homes were targeted in a one-month period starting in August in Wolverhampton, with raiders looking for homes with more than one high-value car.

Criminals are forcing downstairs windows and making off with keys and cars including an Audi Quattro, BMW, Ford Mondeo and VW Golf.

In July, a brand new Jaguar XF costing more than £40,000 was chased by police through Wolverhampton hours after being stolen by car key burglars.

The black Jaguar was driven away following a burglary at a house in Compton and later abandoned in Eastney Crescent, Pendeford.

Other areas which have been targeted include Tettenhall, Goldthorn Hill, Wednesfield, Bradley, Portobello, Park Village, Heath Town and Low Hill.

In August, thieves stole a BMW and a Mercedes after breaking in through an unsecured window in Alexandra Road, Penn, as the woman householder slept upstairs.

Elsewhere in the region, a 75-year-old man was shoved to the floor and his 78-year-old wife slapped around the face by two men in Cradley Heath in August.

Hoodie-wearing burglars forced their way into the couple's home at 10pm for the keys to their silver Mercedes.