Don't let Jack Frost steal your car

Cold frosty Winter mornings are on their way, the weather forecasters tell us, with the prospect of frozen up windscreens greeting motorists in the mornings.

Now Warwickshire Police is issuing a timely reminder to car owners that they should make sure that Jack Frost isn’t responsible for their cars being stolen.

Officers from the Auto Crime Unit in North Warwickshire have issued a reminder to motorists not to be tempted to defrost icy windscreens in the morning by turning on the ignition and leaving the car running on the driveway or outside the house, unattended, while they nip back inside the house to have breakfast or finish getting ready for work.

"You may come out and find it is more than the ice that has disappeared, the car may well have gone too" said PC Keith Wimbush from the Rural Auto Crime Unit based at Coleshill.

"We know there are teams of people who travel round looking for cars to steal on frosty mornings. What could be more simple for them than finding a car, unlocked and with the keys in the ignition and already running. It takes a car thief a matter of seconds to get into your car and drive it away.

"Last year a number of people found their car had been stolen from right outside their own home, when they attempted to clear the windscreen in this way," added PC Wimbrush. "This year we want to make sure people get the message not to leave their cars unattended."

"It may take a few more minutes for you to stay with the car and defrost it, but it will still be a lot quicker than having to phone work to say that you will be late in because the car has been stolen, explaining to the insurance company what has happened and also having to arrange alternative transport."

"If you stock up on de-icing materials in advance, or put a cover over the windscreen the night before frost is forecast, it will shorten the amount of time it takes to clear the windscreen, while people with garages should always put the car away at night. This not only keeps the car frost free, but also keeps the car out of sight of would be car thieves."

And PC Wimbush also added a cautionary note that motorists should also be aware that many car insurance policies become void, or cover is at least reduced, if the car is stolen as a result of the keys being left in the ignition.