Drivers warned over 'ice bandits'

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Motorists who leave their vehicles unattended with the engine running to defrost and warm up are running the risk of invalidating their insurance if it is stolen, according to the ABI.

Several parts of Britain have been targeted by a spate of opportunistic thieves who are targeting vehicles with keys left in the ignition. Earlier this week, four cars were stolen from Greater Manchester in one morning alone in this way - and leaving your vehicle unattended may be seen as not taking reasonable care by an insurance company.

ABI's director of general insurance and health Nick Starling said: "No one wants to freeze while defrosting their car. But tempting though it is, specially on freezing mornings, don't leave your vehicle with the engine running to warm up, while you nip back inside - even if it is only for a couple of minutes, as it only takes seconds for thieves to strike.

"Stay with your vehicle while it warms up, so that it is you that drives away in a warm car, not a thief."

A gang of car thieves known as The Ice Bandits were jailed last year after being found to have stolen a number of cars left unattended in the winter conditions.

Copyright © Press Association 2010

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