Most vehicle crimes are committed by opportunists and therefore preventable.
The arrival of frost filled mornings can bring a series of thefts where thieves target vehicles which have been left with the engine running to defrost the windscreen.
Never leave keys in the ignition and doors unlocked where your car is unattended even if it is only for a couple of minuets and the vehicle is sitting on your drive way or on the roadside of your house.
Allow extra few minuets to defrost and stay with the vehicle whilst it warms up and ensure your view is completely clear before moving off.
In a situation where a driver has left the vehicle unattended, insures may argue that reasonable care has not been taken. This invalidates any insurance claim. Victims of the vehicle are faced with the loss of their vehicle with no means of replacement even though they are fully insured.
PCSO Lindsey Whitehead.