HIGH end cars are being targeted in a brazen new crime in the area.

Keyless car criminals are stealing vehicles such Mercedes and BMWs from driveways while owners are asleep inside their homes.

Six vehicles were taken from driveways in Gloucester and Brockworth overnight between Monday, February 12 and Friday, February 16.

Police believe the vehicles have been taken out of the county and are appealing for CCTV, doorbell and dashcam footage.

Cars were stolen from Fox Close, Bay Tree Road and Tansy Close in Abbeymead overnight between Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 February.

Further cars were taken from Boverton Drive and Golden Arrow Way in Brockworth, and Woodland Green in Upton St Leonard overnight between Thursday 14 and Friday 15 February.

These type of thefts are on the rise with police forces all over the country reporting instances.

Keyless car theft involves using a high tech gadget which hacks a car's entry system to gain access and can even start the engine.

Owners are being reminded to keep keys as far away from vehicles as possible.

Criminals are able to access vehicles if the key is close enough - even if it is inside a building.

There are a number of devices which will stop the frequency of a key reaching the vehicle.

Alternatively, keys should be kept more than two metres from the vehicle.

Information about the thefts can be provided by completing a crime information form on the Gloucestershire police website quoting incident 46 of 13 February.