RESIDENTS with expensive motors are being warned that a criminal gang is targeting affluent corners of Lancaster.

Detectives have revealed that car thieves are breaking into good quality' homes to steal vehicle keys before driving off in the prestige models while their owners sleep.

A £37,000 BMW Z4 saloon is the latest to have been stolen.

The grey sports car was parked on Masonfield Crescent when burglars broke in to lift the keys and make their getaway in the early hours on Saturday.

The car bears the registration MF53EOZ.

A Peugeot 307 was also stolen that night but later found abandoned, undamaged, on Standen Park, Quernmore Road.

DS Paul Greenhalgh says attempts to steal three other vehicles were also made that night.

Cars being targeted include Renault Scenics, Toyota 4X4s, Audi TTs and Mercedes usually at night in areas such as Standen Park and Collingham Park.

Residents are being urged to keep car keys out of sight.

DS Greenhalgh says criminals are breaking in by removing windows close to the front door, where people have a tendency to hang their keys.

"They have also used a hook and cane through the letterbox to steal the keys of good quality cars," he says.

"We are asking people to be aware and not leave car keys in accessible areas."

He suspects the criminals are from outside the area, saying: "A team from Merseyside who committed a similar burglary recently have been arrested, charged and are on remand.

"In my experience of dealing with criminals from Merseyside, there appear to be a number of them committing similar crimes."