Advice needed please.

I didn't want to read and run. I'm sorry I have no advice but you have my sympathy. It's an awful situation.

I have a lot of sympathy for you but you have fulfilled your duty. You have informed both the police and the owner of the house. Your only concern now should be with your own property and safety.

I agree with Humberbear.

I think the owner is putting you under very unfair stress. I think I would tell him that his property is not your responsibility and send the keys back by signed for post.

Sending ? for being such a good neighbour!

I agree, send the keys back and say you want no further responsibility.

I certainly wouldn't photograph them. Don't do anything to get on the wrong side of them. I doubt that they are interested in you or your property so don't draw attention to yourselves. The whole lot should be boarded up though. I would get on to the local council.

Oh yes! The keys.Definitely send them back.

I agree with Massimo & Dora, you can add a kind notes saying that you are sorry, but cannot take any more responsibility.
I would also look out how to contact your local PCSO (council website usually has this information, or call 101. Here, there are PCSO surgeries monthly in our village, weekly in the area generally, so we can easily get to one, and have a chat, or leave a message asking them to call you. Explain that you have done as much as you can, but that you are also concerned for your own safety & well being.
I would also inform your local councillor (whichever council deals with housing and streets in your area) that you are concerned about anti-social behaviour.
Hope it is resolved soon.

All good advice. Let's hope it does get sold and either restored or redeveloped soon. The sooner the better. It must be hugely worrying for you.
Is the owner far away?
A historic house in Edinburgh, Cammo, belonging to an eccentric aristocrat was left to rot until eventually it was set on fire. It's now a pile of stones.
There's a cautionary tale for you!! Sorry no help at all.
When we had our windows broken by vandals, the police suggested we get CCTV and a Rottweiler. Seriously.

I agree with everyone else, its unfair to put you under this sort of pressure. Send the keys back with an explanation. This won't solve the problem of vandals, speaking to the council seems to be the next step with that.

This is not your worry, it's not your house and they are not your possessions - you have done all you can by informing the police and the owner. The owner is expecting far too much of a kindly neighbour, unless he/she has employed you as caretakers.
I agree - send the keys back by registered post.

Something similar happened near us, although the house was not furnished, as drug users got in. One policeman showed a bit of interest but we were thankful when it was sold for development.

I agree hand the keys back by ‘signed for’ post with a nice letter saying you ve done all you can bearing in mind you could walk into to find people in there putting you in danger
Is there a neighbourhood watch you can alert as you don’t want squatters moving in next door
What a terrible shame

No property should be anyone else's responsibility. I'd have refused the keys point blank for a start especially as the place isn't exactly next door or even a few doors down.
I feel so sorry that you have been put under this obligation and hope the owners realise that any missing items were by no means your fault you've done all you can.
Go carefully if you do happen to venture near the place. There'll be squatters in next and it's damned difficult to remove those slobs.

It is all the responsibility of the owner, to whom the keys should be returned forthwith, with a message to say that you are not prepared to continue with the danger of an empty property next door that is being vandalised.

If it continues report to local council.

Many house insurance policies have a clause excempting them from paying up if the property is left empty for even a short length if time. Hence the house sitting organisations sprouting.
I think it's usually because of flooding from burst pipes etc but it does seem sensible to not leave a house empty.
I hope your neighbour sees sense.

My first concern, were I in your situation, would be to get an alarm and camera system fitted to MY house.

I can't hazard a guess at the cost as I don't live in the UK but even if you have to pay by installments, it's a small price to pay for peace of mind

This is clearly worrying you a great deal. I agree with previous posters: return the keys with a note via registered post. That may even be enough to jolt the property owner into accepting the seriousness of the issue. If you make it clear that you will no longer be their "eyes on the ground " they may take action at last. Good luck

Your local Council/Coumcillor may be able to help. They can serve notice on property owners to maintain properties to an acceptable standard and in some cases place a compulsory purchase order on them. Worth a try. Good luck.

It's a disgusting society we now live in, breaking into other people's homes & destroying their property, complete disrespect is everywhere now, kids are also being bred by these disrespectful foul creatures, memorial bench springs to mind. The future of the UK is one I'm very happy not to witness for too much longer, UK is rapidly declining & crimes are just increasing by the day - sad but true

BradfordLass is right, but perhaps it should be the owners of the other house who should get the alarm and camera fitted.
Near where I used to live was a mental hospital which had once been an enormous beautiful mansion. When it was closed down it was left empty but there were a lot of lovely old Victorian fittings, and these were stolen, chandeliers, a blue and white bathroom set, wood panelling. fish from the fishpond, and even oil left in the oil tank. Not personal property, only of the NHS, so nobody cared, I digress. Empty properties are a pain.

Arlo cameras are about £100 and easy to fit apparently. Alarms are cheap on Amazon. Window and door.Other cameras will be cheaper.

How horrible for you. I'd definitely go along with returning his keys. Why should you be responsible for his property if he can't be bothered to come round often to see if it's all right? Is there an Empty House officer at the council? Could you even pass the keys on to them?
I don't understand why houses are left empty when we have so many homeless people who could live there. There's also a guardianship scheme in some areas where empty properties are lived in by those who can take care of them in exchange for a small rent.
I've a friend who lives next to an empty house, the garden is full of bin bags and it's going to rack and ruin. It's not fair on you neighbours. Best of luck.

Good advice on here. Stay well out of it and do not approach the property and put yourselves at risk.

Contact the council and let them involve the police who will listen to them.

I hope it's soon sold and developed into something pleasant to live alongside.

Maybe the owner moved out due to poor health which is why he hasn't sorted the problem out himself. It's not your responsibility to tackle this so please look after yourselves.

If the property is for sale with an estate agent, inform them and request that they collect the keys or you could post them and request a receipt. They should board the place up. Go on the police social media and complain loudly about the inaction. Eventually, the thieves will strip the place for copper pipes, wiring, manhole covers and other metal for scrap. The owner mustn't care how badly the damage will affect the sale price!