Key safe broken into and pensioners' car stolen as they slept

Around 3am on Sunday, the disabled couple living on Blendworth Lane were in bed when the burglars broke into the key safe outside their home and let themselves in.

They then stole the keys to the couple’s Red Vauxhall Mokka, leased to them through the Motability scheme, before driving away.

READ MORE: Pensioners' key safe boxes ripped off their bungalows in crime spree

One half of the couple - who did not wish to be named - said: “They have invaded our privacy. I don’t feel safe in my own home now.”

The 76-year-old explained how the incident unfolded.

He said: "At first my son saw that the motion-activated light switched on and he thought it was the fox we normally have come round.

"My wife likes to feed her.

“But then he heard the car being driven away.”

The man, who suffers from COPD, added: “The first thing I asked myself was, why us? It makes it worse that they were in our house."

The father-of-two and his 68-year-old wife, who has osteoporosis, have been given a replacement car via the scheme.

It leases cars and wheelchair-accessible vehicles to the disabled.

But, he added: "It's not just the car. Our disabled badge was inside and now we can't park on disabled bays when going to the shop or for hospital appointments."

It comes after those living in Portsway Close and April Close were targeted by criminals last Tuesday, who ripped these safe boxes off the front walls of their bungalows.

The recent spate of thefts has led the police to issue guidance to those with key safes on their front door.

Blendworth Lane, Southampton (Image: Newsquest)A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: “Key safes are generally a reassurance and not a concern.

"However, we are concerned that key safes fixed on walls next to front doors are more likely to be targeted than those fixed around the back of the house or in a more obscure location.

“To protect your home and belongings, 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.

“We understand that key safes are vital for some people in the community.

"However, some of us might have them as a helpful backup system for when we or members of our family lose keys.”

Officers are advising residents to take keys out at times when they are not needed, like at night when recent burglaries have happened.

People are also being advised to install security lights, alarms and CCTV to protect their homes against burglaries.