Brazen car thieves targeting defrosting Scots cars as police issue warning to drivers

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Police have issued a warning to Scots motorists defrosting their cars after several vehicles were swiped from the streets in Aberdeen.Drivers have been urged to remain vigilant after two motors were pinched in the Granite City while owners left their engines on and the keys in the ignition.

The thefts, which both took place in the last week, came before the current bout of Arctic weather, reports Aberdeen Live.North East Crime officer PC Irvine warns that opportunists are using the subzero temperatures to conduct the crimes.Writing online PC Irvine said: "It’s a chilly morning, you’re running late, and the thought of defrosting your car windows with only your breath is unbearable.

So, you do what countless others have done before – you hop in, start the engine, and run inside."But before you fall into this seemingly harmless routine, consider this: leaving your car running unattended is not just a bad habit, it’s a recipe for disaster."A running engine simply adds an invitation for thieves to jump in and disappear so: plan ahead: Give yourself enough time to warm up your car properly before you need to leave."Dress for the weather: Layer up instead of relying on your car’s heater for those chilly mornings."Defrost the right way: Use a scraper and brush to clear your car, don’t just leave a gap in your windscreen, it’s dangerous and likely to get a ticket and fine." Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.