Police re-iterate winter warnings to motorists after car stolen

Buy photos » Motorists are being warned to take care with more snow forecast. (s)

A CAR was stolen from a driveway in Wythall after the victim left his engine running, while he was de-icing it.

It happened about 6.30am today (Tuesday) when the owner went inside his house on Ann Road and left the keys in the ignition.

When he returned, he found his green Saab 93, with the registration plate LD08 BAA, had been stolen.

West Mercia Police is urging people not to leave their cars unattended with their engines running.

Peter Aston, crime risk adviser for Worcestershire, said: "You wouldn't usually leave your car unlocked, unattended and with the keys in it, so why risk it in winter for the sake of a few minutes to heat your car up?

"That's all the time it takes for an opportunistic thief to drive off with your vehicle whilst you're waiting inside keeping warm.

"Nobody seems to think it's going to happen to them but every winter we receive calls from people who are caught unawares by car thieves when their backs are turned."

He added if a car was stolen when the keys have been left in the ignition, insurance companies may not pay out.

Anyone with any information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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