Drivers 'take their car keys to bed with them'

More than 1.5 million motorists in the UK take their car keys to bed with them to avoid becoming victims of auto theft.

That is according to a study by swiftcover.com, which found that 200,000 vehicles have been taken with the owners' keys in the last 12 months.

The research revealed that 4.5 million drivers leave their keys next to the front door, which could have consequences for their collectors car insurance costs.

More than 75 per cent of those who take their keys to bed with them are young men.

Robin Reames, claims director at the insurer, said that modern cars are difficult to take without the keys, which has led to an increase in the number of thefts of the keys themselves.

"Motorists who keep their keys on a surface near their front door are the easiest targets for burglars and may even be victims of car key fishing where thieves literally fish for the keys through the letterbox," he added.

According to a report from Tracker, the BMW X5 is the car most coveted by thieves.

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