Police officers are out in force across Merton this week, urging drivers to "protect their vehicle like they would their home", after a rise in the number of keyless cars being stolen.

The campaign, codenamed Operation Endeavour, follows an eight per cent increase in vehicle theft across London in the last year, believed to be the result of organised criminals increasingly targeting keyless or remotely controlled vehicles to make money quickly.

Police said the majority of such thefts appear to be the result of organised criminals using key-programming devices to unlock the vehicles, but in some cases the vehicles are just towed away.

Thieves use a device which bypasses the vehicle's electronic information as the owner locks it, or they break into the vehicle and connect a device which downloads the vehicle's information onto a blank key in a matter of seconds.

The new key is then compatible with the vehicle, so it disables the alarm and the vehicle can simply be driven away.

In Merton there were 93 vehicles stolen this way last year.

In Wimbledon, PCSOs Nikki Cleeter and Gabriella Di Maria joined forces to promote the crime prevention message to local drivers, including a mum who had just parked to go shopping, and locked her car using a keyless fob.

Local resident Fiona Pearce thanks the PCSOs and took some leaflets with her. A spokesman said she set off to buy a steering wheel lock after the encounter.

PCSO Cleeter said: "It's great to let people know about these offences with a positive message, and talk about a few simple steps that could frustrate a car thief and protect your valuable property."

Neighbourhoods Chief Inspector Phil Palmer said "Although Merton has fewer keyless vehicle thefts than most other boroughs, the fact that only last week we arrested a suspect with a stolen top of range 4x4 car shows we need to remain alert.

"We're on patrol across Merton, raising awareness with local drivers and deterring offenders."