A BENDY thief made of with a £52,000 car after slipping his arm through a Chiswick letter box and stealing the vehicle's keys.

The suspect is believed to have manoeuvred his way into releasing the door catch, before entering the home on Abinger Road at some point during the night on Monday, March 22.

The thief then took the keys, along with a handbag and briefcase containing a mobile phone and £130 in cash. The bags were recovered from the scene, however, the silver Mercedes Benz estate remains missing.

Police say that thieves have also been known to hook car keys kept near to front doors by guiding canes from garden plants through letterboxes. Such crimes can be avoided by attaching a letterbox cage, or additional flap, to the front door. Mortice locks should be used as well as Yale locks and all keys and valuables should be kept well away from the door.

Police can carry out a security survey of properties and give advice on areas for improvement. Contact the police station for more details.