THIEVES used a ­fishing rod in a bid to pull a resident's car keys through their letterbox.

The householder woke to the sound of keys falling on the floor and rushed downstairs to see the device sticking through the front door.

The incident on ­Monday happened in the Rutherglen and Cambuslang area and ­police have now urged residents to be vigilant.

Police Scotland ­community safety PC Richard Samson said: "We would like to remind ­people about the dangers of leaving keys near the front door, on hooks, or tables where they can be seen or reached. They should be removed and put in a safe place at all times."

People in the area were ­informed about the ­incident via a new pilot project in which alerts are issued about crime and road traffic accidents in their area.

This is done via text, phone message and e-mail.

In more serious cases, including those of missing children or serious crime, a telephone call will be made to the homes of those who have signed up to inform them.

The scheme - Safer ­Rutherglen - which also has its own dedicated website of the same name, has been running for a month and there are plans to roll it out across Scotland.

Police also urged residents not to leave car keys on display or on tables in the property's hallway.

PC Samson, who runs the scheme, said police were working with partner agencies, including the local authority and neighbourhood watch scheme.

He added: "The main aim of the project is to get this information out to residents immediately to keep them up-to-date with what is happening in their area.

"We also have involvement from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, South Lanarkshire Council and Neighbourhood Watch Scotland.

"The response has been very good so far and people can sign up for alerts on the website ­saferrutherglen.co.uk.

This type of offences has ­become more common after manufacturers improved ­security by upgrading locks as well as introducing electronic immobilisers and alarms.

linzi.watson@eveningtimes.co.uk