AS TEMPERATURES drop police are reminding motorists not to leave their cars unattended while they wait for them to defrost.
During the winter period West Mercia Police see a rise in the number of cars stolen because drivers have left their keys in the ignition while they wait in their homes for their windscreens to de-ice.
Det Insp John Cashion said despite repeated warnings drivers continued to leave their cars unattended on driveways or on the street.
“You wouldn’t usually leave your car unlocked, unattended and with the keys in it, so why risk it in winter for the sake of a few minutes to heat your car up?
“That’s all the time it takes for an opportunistic thief to drive off with your vehicle whilst you’re waiting inside keeping warm.
“Nobody seems to think it’s going to happen to them but every winter we receive calls from people who are caught unawares by car thieves when their backs are turned.”
He added drivers who ignored the warning were taking big risks as thieves often drove around residential areas looking for likely targets.
“Many of the vehicles are never recovered, and some, especially high value models such as Mercedes, BMW and Audi, may be shipped overseas.
“It is also worth remembering if your car is stolen when keys have been left in it, you may find your insurance will not cover you.”
Anyone with information about car thefts should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
