An operation targeting cunning thieves was launched this week by the West and North Yorkshire Police forces.

Operation Yor-keys was launched at Otley's RAOB club on Monday in a bid to stamp out crimes where thieves steal keys to high powered cars that have

complex security devices.

Police from Bradford, Weetwood, Pudsey, Skipton, Keighley, Selby and Calderdale have combined forces to tackle the growing cross border problem with the Keep Your Keys Safe campaign.

Detective Chief Inspector Roger Gasson from the Keighley Division, said: "Nine police divisions are working together to tackle this problem, sharing information and co-ordinating police operations.

"This is a major response to what is a nasty, and sometimes violent crime."

Police officials urged the public to take notice of the warnings they give about hiding car keys after the forces have seen an increase in this type of car crime.

Neighbourhood Watch officers, members of the public and local councillors heard that a rise in car security meant that cars under five years old are much harder to steal, leaving the criminal having to steal car keys to get hold of high powered vehicles.

Thieves are creating elaborate devices out of canes and even fishing rods with barbs on the end to hook keys through letter boxes and cat flaps.

The number of crimes where thieves simply enter a house through an unlocked door to steal keys in the doorway are also on the up.

Of 28 crimes analysed in a typical week, 19 occurred when thieves just opened the front door while the occupants were home, and stole keys that were in the lock, on hooks near the door or on work surfaces.

The approximate value of the 28 cars alone was reported as almost a quarter of a million pounds, according to Crime Analyst Steve Burton from the West Yorkshire Police.

He said that the crimes were a recent trend and thieves are targeting cars under five years old.

He also said the most popular cars stolen were Volkswagen Golf, Vauxhall Astra and Corsa and Ford Focus and Mondeo.

The police are now keen to spread the message for people to lock doors even if they are at home, and to keep keys hidden away.

They are also approaching garages to distribute leaflets to new car buyers.

Detective Inspector Mick Moore from North Yorkshire Police said: "The most important message we want to get across is that the public need to take steps to help themselves.

"The car industry has done a lot of work to improve car security but thieves have found a way around it.

"A few simple steps, like keeping keys hidden and always, always locking the front door when you are in, will hopefully reduce the crimes very quickly."

Chief Superintendent Adam Briggs of the West Yorkshire Police Force, added: "This operation is about actions not words, and we are determined to catch the people who commit these crimes.

"We've all been guilty of leaving keys on the side and putting keys in view, but the place for car keys is out of the way."

Councillor Clive Fox (Con, Otley and Wharfedale), who was at the official launch, said: "It is very important to address this problem, and I know of at least six incidences near to my home where crimes like these have occurred.

"It's a very simple message to get across that people only need to take a moment or two to think about the security of their home and car."

He added that as the warmer weather slowly approached and people ventured into their gardens, the crimes may increase.

"People will be sitting out in their gardens and they don't think to lock the front door.

"Thieves will simply walk in and have lots of time to find the car keys."

And Otley mayor Councillor Phil Coyne (Lab, Otley and Wharfedale), said: "The police here today are absolutely right.

"The message is simple - to keep doors locked and keys safe.

"People installing Yale locks could reduce these crimes because the issue of locking a door would vanish."

Chairman of Otley Neighbourhood Watch, Bill McIlwraith, said: "We are lucky because we are a very proactive Neighbourhood Watch and we are

actually doing something about these crimes.

"People have to help themselves when it comes to security, but we help to spread the message.

"It is a shame, but if everybody did help themselves by locking doors and having security lights, there would be no crimes."

Anyone wanting information about security can call the Crime Prevention Officers at Weetwood Police Station on 0113 2413459.