Car stolen from Lickey after owner leaves engine running

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POLICE in Rubery have been forced to issue another warning to drivers not to leave their cars with the engines running to defrost them after a VW Polo was stolen from a driveway in Lickey this morning (Tuesday).

The light blue five-door Polo, which has the registration number FV60 RFJ, was taken from outside the house in Monument Lane at around 6.45am.

The woman left the keys in the ignition while she went inside to get some warm water to put on the windscreen and when she returned it had gone.

One of the householders, who is not being named, said: "The house can't be seen from the road and from footprints in the snow it would appear that the thieves were hiding behind some bushes nearby, so it looks like they were just waiting for the opportunity.

"It's not the sort of thing you think might happen to you unless you are aware of it.

"It's caused a fair bit of inconvenience as my wife's purse was also in the car so we have had to cancel bank cards.

"We are also having to get locks changed."

PC Greg Palmer said cars were stolen every winter because of engines being left running and it was important for drivers to be more vigilant.

"Thieves drive around specifically looking for cars left unattended on frosty mornings and it only takes a few seconds for one of them to jump out and drive it away.

"Leaving your vehicle unattended with the keys in it can invalidate your insurance if it is stolen, which means you won't get your car or your money back - so why take the risk?"

During the cold spell, officers have been carrying out early morning patrols, looking for those leaving their engines running and handing their keys back to them.

Anyone with any information on the theft of the VW Polo should call PC Palmer at Rubery Police Station on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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