Homeowners are being warned not to leave their keys near the door after a ‘hook and cane’ burglary near Preston.

A car has been taken from Woodplumpton following the incident on Wednesday (26 April).

The homeowners in The Orchard went to bed around 11.30pm.

During Thursday morning they noticed the vehicle was missing and police believe the keys were scooped up by a long stick put through the letterbox.

A bike was found abandoned nearby and Preston Police believed this is involved.

They have recovered a set of keys and also a knife that was left handing on a nearby garden fence in a carrier bag.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting log 222.