Motorists urged to freeze out opportunist thieves

Freeze out opportunist thieves by not leaving vehicles unattended while de-icing them

Police across Greater Manchester are urging motorists to freeze out opportunist thieves by not leaving their vehicles unattended while de-icing them.

Only this morning a car was stolen on Ashdown Way in High Crompton, Oldham after the owner left it unsupervised with the engine running.

Constable Alan Stokes of Greater Manchester Police’s Oldham Division said: “Every winter on frosty mornings people leave their vehicles with the engines running while they go indoors to keep out of the cold.

“It’s no surprise that when they go back outside their driveway is empty, as it only takes a few seconds to steal a car with keys left in the ignition. It’s also worth motorists remembering that if they do this their insurance policies may be invalidated.

“It is not only high-powered vehicles that are targeted, so our advice to all drivers is to stay with the vehicle when defrosting it, and if they need to leave the car at any time they should remove any valuables, close all windows, lock all doors and take the keys with them."

There is now a range of pre-icer products that prevent ice and frost from building up on windscreens and windows, and motorists are advised to use one of these the night before.

To report crime, call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.