TARGET: Do you leave your car unattended?
Opportunist thieves will be looking to swipe cars left unattended by drivers on frosty mornings this winter, Tracker have warned.
Many drivers leave their cars running in the morning to clear frosted windows, but the stolen vehicle recovery specialists insist this is an open invitation for crooks.
Stuart Chapman, Police Relationships Manager at Tracker, said: “Whilst some of the ‘frost jacking thefts’ are opportune many are planned.
“Organised gangs will target specific makes and models that are parked out overnight.
“They will keep watch on the vehicles when the weather is cold waiting for the owner to leave it unattended.
“Thieves are opportunists and look out for cars on frosty mornings, shopping around for the most popular makes and models, as temperatures start to drop.
“Modern cars use inbuilt security that makes it more difficult to steal them without the keys, so every year thieves exploit the cold snap to target car owners who take the risk on frosty mornings.
“Many drivers don’t realise that police may even prosecute them, if their car is stolen while unattended with the engine running.
“They may also find that insurance companies can refuse the claim for the theft, leaving owners seriously out of pocket.
“We’re urging car owners to use common sense, especially on cold mornings, when thieves could be looking for an opportunity to steal a car from under your nose.”
