It comes after an increase of vehicle thefts over the past two months.

Some of those cars which have been stolen have been found dumped and torched. 

The Standard reported over the weekend four cars had been stolen across the region, two of which were torched. 

Another was stolen from Warrnambool and set alight on Thursday.

It was dumped at Spookys beach, near Levys Point. 

Sergeant Danny Wright from Warrnambool police issued the warning after the spate of incidents. 

He urged south-west residents to lock their cars, and their homes, and keep keys away from prying eyes. 

“We'd like to think people can do it, but in the current climate leaving your keys in your vehicle makes a theft very easy,” Sergeant Wright said.

"People have been and still are complacent about it.”

A crime spree in Port Fairy late last year saw four cars stolen. 

At least one of those vehicles had the keys left in the ignition. 

Sergeant Wright said the best way to prevent crime was to ensure no access was available to would-be thieves.  

"With an increase in thefts recently, the majority of those vehicles have had keys left in them,” he said.

“It’s a reminder for people to lock and secure their cars and keep their keys somewhere where they are not easily obtained.

“We have incidents where houses have also been unlocked and people gain access and steal the car keys.

“The message is to secure your cars and also your homes.

“It still seems pretty common that people are comfortable to still leave their keys in the car.”