‘Frost jackings’ on the increase
Filed under: Latest News It’s no fun when you go out to the car in the morning only to find all the windows coated in ice and the roof wearing a fluffy white toupée. Letting the engine run to defrost the car while you go and finish that cuppa usually does the trick. Except cars left running on driveways and in parking spaces are now a prime target for thieves. According to a survey conducted by Swiftcover, a staggering 47% of motorists leave their cars unattended with the keys in the ignition. The bitter winter we had in 2010 provided rich pickings for early bird thieves who waited car owners to leave their vehicles to defrost, simply jumping into them and setting off down the road. Police forces around the country reported how frost jackings had rocketed, with West Midlands Police recording the thefts of nearly 100 cars that had been left unattended by their owners. And it gets worse. When you ring up the police to confirm your car has been stolen off the drive, keys inside, Officer Apathy will make you feel just that little bit better by threatening prosecution. Insurance companies can also refuse to pay out for the theft, leaving you carless and cold. The figures are set to rise this year and many police forces across the country are warning motorists to be vigilant. Stuart Chapman, from TRACKER vehicle services gives some sound advice we can all agree with: “Would you leave an open briefcase containing £30,000 cash or more on your driveway or outside the local newsagent on a frosty morning? The answer is undoubtedly no.” So, next time it’s a bit chilly and you need to defrost your car, make sure your inside it or could just be the start to a very unhappy year.
Here is the original:
‘Frost jackings’ on the increase