Motorists have been urged to be on their guard against unscrupulous thieves when de-icing their windscreens and warming up their cars.
‘Frost jacking’ is usually an opportunist crime when thieves see an unattended unlocked car, typically with the keys in the ignition, as drivers wait elsewhere to thaw out frosted windows and warm up cars on cold days.
Clive Wain, Head of Police Liaison at Tracker, said: “Whilst it can be very tempting to leave your car running on these cold and dark mornings, the wider risk of theft if just too strong.
“It is always best to just wrap up warm and stay with your car whilst you are defrosting the windows, whether it is on your driveway or parked in the road. Using a combination of new and traditional methods to keep cars safe from thieves is always recommended, especially in the winter when there are less daylight hours.”
Contrary to the Road Traffic Act, engine quitting, where a person leaves their vehicles’ engine running whilst not actually in the vehicle, is also an offence.
Drivers caught engine quitting could be fined anywhere between £20-£80. Not correctly defrosting a windscreen and leaving it dangerous to drive can also result in a potential fine and three penalty points.
Tracker is a SVR provider supported nationwide by U.K. police services that track, locate and recover stolen assets. More than 2,000 police patrol vehicles and all police helicopters are fitted with Tracker detection units.
Tracker’s Winter Security Advice
At home, don’t keep keys in a place where they can be seen or accessed from outside
Never leave the keys in the ignition, even if you are just stopping quickly
Never leave your car running unattended when de-icing
Always lock and secure your vehicle
Don’t leave belongings on show, lock them in the boot or take them with you
Do not leave technology items on display, such as satnavs or mobile telephones. Take them with you or lock them in the boot.
Never leave car documents or spare keys inside the car – this only makes it easier for thieves to sell it on
Park in busy or well-lit and attended car parks near CCTV cameras
If you have a garage, use it to park your car
Consider fitting a tracking device to help police recover your vehicle if it’s stolen
