Police issue alert over icy car thefts

Four vehicles have been stolen in the Great Horton area in the last week alone as owners have left their unattended vehicles running to heat up.

Bradford South Inspector Alan Rhees Cooper said: "As we have said before, people in Bradford need to keep security at the forefront of their minds.

"We are still seeing vehicle owners starting up their cars and going back into their homes to get out of the freezing cold. When they return, however, some have found their vehicle has been stolen.

"During the extreme cold, some are also leaving their vehicles for up to 15 minutes at a time. Please don't gift an opportunist thief in this way and simply stay with your vehicle.

"It can be tempting to leave the engine running while you stay warm in your house, but it will only take a second for someone to jump in your vehicle and drive away.

"Not everyone realises that it is also an offence to leave your vehicle like this and that it can also invalidate your insurance."