Don’t fall for the defrosting trap

Dec 4 2008 by Adrian Short, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

OPPORTUNIST car crooks are on the lookout for easy pickings as motorists defrost their cars on freezing winter mornings.

Police say two cars left briefly on driveways with their engines running were stolen in Halton on the first day of December.

Police are bracing themselves for an increase in similar thefts and are pleading with motorists never to leave their cars unattended with keys in the ignition – even for a moment.

Officers across Halton are now stepping up patrols to target the culprits.

They are urging drivers to be aware of their surroundings and to keep their eyes peeled for suspicious looking characters.

They are also advising owners to lock their car doors if they have to go back into the house.

Sgt Graham Waring, of Widnes Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: “Leaving your car unattended for just a few minutes with the engine running is an open invitation for someone to jump in the car and drive off in it – it is an early Christmas present for an opportunistic thief.

“We would urge anyone who is tempted to leave their car on their driveway while it is defrosting in the morning, to think again.

“When defrosting your car the advice would be to stay with it. People think it will never happen to them, but it could and they should do everything they can to reduce the risk.”