Lucky car owner has car stolen from Barnt Green recovered

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DRIVERS have been warned not to leave their engines running and their cars unattended while waiting for the windows to defrost after a car was stolen from Barnt Green this morning (Wednesday).

Luckily for the owner, the silver VW Golf, taken from a driveway in Mearse Lane at around 7.50am, was recovered in May Farm Close, Wythall, less than an hour later. Community Support Officer Vicky Elliot spotted the vehicle, having heard the details being circulated.

No-one was inside or near the car, which has now been taken for forensic tests before it is returned to the owner.

PC Steve Hackett, who was on patrol with CSO Elliot at the time, warned a Wythall resident this morning who had left his car running on whilst he was inside his home.

When PC Hackett knocked his door holding the keys, the man was grateful to see he had taken them and not a thief.

He said: "Every morning we normally find one or two cars left like this to defrost, usually on driveways but sometimes outside properties on the road which is actually illegal.

He reminded motorists that having cars stolen with keys in the ignition invalidate the insurance.

"You wouldn't leave £20,000 in a safe on your drive with the key in the lock, so why do it with a car?"

Anyone with any information about the theft should call 101.

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