Homeowners warned against leaving house keys under the mat after spate of burglaries

Many people still leave their spare house keys under the mat or plant, despite an increase in burglaries.

Last week, gardaí arrested several burglars nicknamed ‘the fishermen’ who stole car keys by using an extendable rod to pull them through the letterbox.

An AA Home Insurance survey has found many people continue to hide their keys in obvious places.

Other favourite but equally obvious places include the porch, letterbox, and door frame.

AA director of policy Conor Faughnan said that it might have been ok years ago to leave keys in obvious places, but hiding them under a plant pot now is practically an invitation to burglars.

Latest figures from the CSO show there was a 9% increase in burglaries and related offences between 2010 and 2012.

More than 9,000 people took part in the AA survey and many admitted they often had to leave out a key for their children who would be coming home late without one.

Most preferred to use the garden shed or the garage, while others preferred to leave their house key under an ornament, a bin, or garden sleeper.

Two people said they hid their key under the gravel of their driveway, which perhaps might not be the easiest to find at night.

“There were also some very different hiding places such as in a garden shrub or in the weed killer; probably best to wash your hands afterwards though,” Mr Faughnan said.

“Another person who took the poll suggested making use of the kids’ toys scattered around the garden by hiding the key under a toy car.”

Some suggested placing the key in the dog’s kennel or attaching it to a German shepherd’s collar.

Mr Faughnan said he had a colleague whose German shepherd was drugged during a burglary.

“You never know who might see you dig out that key from the plant pot or retrieve it from the garage,” he said.

“It would be far safer to leave a spare key with a trusted friend, relative, or neighbour.”

AA Home Insurance advises people to get into the habit of locking doors and windows before leaving the house.

It also urges people to fit a deadbolt lock to their home’s main exterior doors. The lock should be pick-resistant, making it impossible for would-be burglars.

And, when no one is home, it’s worth considering leaving a light or radio on.