POLICE have issued another warning over the use of key safes after two more burglaries in the New Forest.

Officers say two homes were struck in Barton-on-Sea, including one in which burglars broke into a key safe in order to get into the properties.

It comes just a day after police revealed how burglars broke into a property, by accessing a key safe, and stole a collection of First World War medals.

Now police are issuing another warning to home owners, just weeks after an alert by officers investigating 33 similar burglaries in Southampton.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: "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."

Police say one of the burglaries happened overnight between December 14 and 15.

A key safe at a property in Western Avenue, Barton-on-Sea.

 

Although nothing is believed to have been taken from inside the property, a key was taken.

Police say another incident happened between December 14 and December 17 in Western Avenue.

An "untidy search" was carried out and a digital Nikon 3200, worth more than £100, was stolen.

Earlier this month, home owners in Southampton were put on alert after burglars targeted 33 homes in Southampton.

Between September 25 and December 9 this year, key safes were tampered with and a number of keys, cars, wallets and electricals were stolen from properties across the city.

Police said on each occasion, a key safe was damaged or pulled off the wall and some incidents resulted in entry being gained and items being stolen.

The incidents occurred in Woolston, Sholing, Bitterne and Peartree at night.

Speaking at the time, a spokesman for the Hampshire Constabulary said: “Key safes are generally a reassurance, and not a concern, however we are worried that key safes fixed on walls next to front doors are more likely to be targeted.

"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.”

Yesterday, police released details of a burglary in which First World War medals were stolen from the home of a pensioner in Milford-on-Sea.

 

The medals, awarded to the uncle of the 91-year-old victim, were engraved with details including: Private 19260 with Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment around the edge.

Police say burglars gained access to the property in Lymington Road, by forcing open a key safe mounted on the outside wall.

They also dismantled the security lights and burglar alarms during the raid, between December 5 and December 6.