EVERY WINTER West Mercia Police receive a number of reports from drivers who had cars stolen after leaving the engine running to defrost the windscreen.
The force said some people nip inside to collect a bag or finish a coffee, but that is all the time an opportunist thief needs.
To ‘freeze out’ the thieves, West Mercia Police advises motorists to clear windscreens with dei-icer or scraper, and to sit in vehicles while the heater de-mists the windscreen.
Thieves will drive around residential areas looking for likely targets – when they spot a vehicle with its engine left running on a drive or outside a home, they will take it.
West Mercia Police have reminded residents that 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.
If your house keys are stolen along with your car, your home is then vulnerable too.
