There is a fresh appeal for homeowners to take greater care of where they leave their car keys. It has emerged burglars are using converted fishing rods through letterboxes to try and take them of hall tables.

There are also reports of criminals attaching magnets, mirrors and trays to the rod. The Irish Independent claims officers have seized 5 rods following the arrest of a number of Dublin gang suspects.

The paper says that a 20% increase in this type of crime over the first 4 months of the year has prompted a crack-down by gardai on the so-called 'fishermen'.

Increase in vehicle theft

It is reported that the fishing gangs have stolen 60 vehicles using the converted rods since the start of the year which is up from 50 in the same period last year.

Gardai are advising motorists to keep their keys secure and out of sight, well away from windows and doors particularly overnight.

The clampdown on the gangs is being coordinated under Operation Acer which forms part of Operation Fiacla in the Dublin Region.

Gardai says it is having a positive impact on burglary rates in the Dublin area with a reduction of burglaries by more than 10% since the introduction of the operation.