Crime reduction officers are warning car owners to hide their keys away instead of putting them on view near the front door.
Nearly 300 cars worth more than £4million have been driven away from Essex driveways after house burglaries in the 12 months to October 1, 2004. Only half of those have been recovered.
In Southend, 21 cars have been stolen during dwelling burglaries, with only six being forced entries.
In Rayleigh, there were 18 such burglaries, with just five forced entries. In most cases residents had left their properties unsecured with doors and windows unlocked.
Showrooms and forecourts have also been targeted as cars are becoming increasingly stolen in bulk.
Force crime reduction Insp Dave Northcott said: "A lot of people leave keys somewhere visible - they should be hidden away. Thieves are also using bamboo canes with magnets on the end to fish keys through letter boxes."
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