West Yorkshire Police warning: Beware of thieves when defrosting cars

A vehicle was stolen from a driveway in Castleford on New Year's Eve whilst the owner was defrosting the windows.

The vehicle was left on the drive with the engine running and when returning to the drive, the victim found that the vehicle had gone.

Now, officers in the West Yorkshire Police Wakefield North East and Rural team have issued a warning to beware of these thieves and are reminding drivers not to leave vehicles with keys in the ignition while defrosting to protect cars from opportunists.

The officers suggested a number of ways to prevent these types of crimes on frosty mornings:

If you have a garage, always put the car away at night. This not only keeps the car frost-free but also out of sight of would be car thieves.

• Always remove keys from the ignition, even if you are leaving your car, just to open a garage door. It only takes a thief a few seconds to jump in and drive away.

• Cover your windscreen the night before a frost is forecast. This will shorten the amount of time it takes to clear the windscreen.

• Ensure you have the required de-icing materials available.

• Stay with your car while it is defrosting.

• Make sure you allow yourself longer in the morning to get ready if frost or snow has been forecast the night before.

• Motorists should also be aware that some motor insurance policies become invalid, or the cover reduced, if a car is stolen as a result of keys being left in the ignition.

A post on the West Yorkshire Police Wakefield North East and Rural Facebook page said: "Beware of car thieves whilst defrosting your vehicle!

"A vehicle was stolen from a driveway in Castleford on New Year’s Eve whilst the owner was defrosting the windows.

"The vehicle was left on the drive, with the engine running, to defrost the windows.

"On returning to the drive the victim found that the vehicle had gone.

"Protect your frost covered vehicles from opportunist thieves.

"We would like to remind motorists not to leave their vehicles with the keys in the ignition while the vehicles defrost.

"Thieves are known to target residential areas on cold and frosty mornings looking for cars where the owner has started the engine to defrost the windscreen and then returned inside, leaving the car unattended."

The post said that by following the above advice, drivers can protect themselves, their vehicles and others from harm on the roads this winter.