WITH the nights drawing in Redditch residents are encouraged to take extra care when securing their cars for the evening.
West Mercia Police advise vehicles are emptied of valuables such as Sat Navs and mobile phones and the cradle for such items is removed and tell-tale suction pad marks are wiped away.
Motorists are also reminded to remove all valuables from the glove box as this is the first place opportunist thieves will look.
Shopping bags should be locked out of sight in the boot of the vehicle and car owners are advised to fit an alarm or an immobiliser – which will also help to reduce the cost of car insurance.
The return of frosty mornings will also prove a potential hazard for residents as every year vehicles are stolen from driveways as motorists leave engines running to warm up the car with the key in the ignition.
Car thieves will be sure to keep an keen eye on the weather forecast and will be out early in the morning on the lookout for vehicles left unattended in this way.
Residents are reminded to sit inside their cars while the heater de-mists the windscreen or to use a de-icing spray or scraper to speed up the process.
Motorists should remember claims on insurance policies can be affected if the vehicle owner is in any way deemed responsible for the theft.
