Ice warning for drivers (From Leigh Journal)

Leigh drivers warned about cool thieves

9:30am Friday 3rd February 2012 in News

MOTORISTS are being warned to freeze out opportunist thieves this week by not leaving their vehicles unattended while de-icing them.

The warning comes following Met Office predictions that temperatures could drop across the borough this week.

By simply staying with their vehicles on frosty mornings, motorists can dramatically reduce the chances of having them stolen.

Inspector Anne Scott, of Hindley Neighbourhood Policing Team, 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 leave keys in the ignition 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 in the vehicle when defrosting it, and if they need to leave the car at any time they should remove all valuables, lock it and take the keys with them."

Police advise treating windscreen and windows with products that prevent ice and frost from building up overnight.I