Police issue chilling warning to motorists

Date published: 22 November 2007

With temperatures set to plunge over the next couple of days, police are urging motorists not to leave their vehicles defrosting unattended, or they could risk being left to foot the bill for a new car.

During the icy weather in January and February of this year, 150 vehicles were stolen across Greater Manchester when drivers left their cars unattended with the engines running while they defrosted.

With the frost setting in over the next few days, police are urging motorists to ensure that they are not the next victims to be left out in the cold by staying with their vehicles while de-icing them.

Chief Inspector Haydn Roberts of Greater Manchester Police’s Traffic Network Section said: "People are tempted to leave their car engine running on a frosty morning while they stay inside the house to keep nice and warm.  However, it only takes a few seconds for a thief to steal a car when the keys have been left in the ignition.

"What many people don’t realise is that as well as the distress and inconvenience that the initial theft may cause, insurance companies are often unlikely to pay out if vehicles are stolen in this way, leaving many victims in a serious financial dilemma.

"It’s not only high-powered vehicles that are targeted and so our advice to all drivers is to stay in their vehicle when defrosting it and if at any time they need to leave the car, to make sure they lock it, remove any valuables and take the keys with them."

In the past twelve months, 450 vehicles have been stolen across Greater Manchester due to people leaving the engine running and unattended with the keys in the ignition.  A wide variety of vehicles have been taken, ranging from BMWs to Transit vans.