Drivers urged to stay with vehicles while defrosting them following two thefts

We are urging motorists not to leave their vehicles unattended with the engine running following two thefts in recent weeks.

As temperatures drop, you may be tempted to leave your vehicle running while the windows thaw but this leaves it vulnerable to opportunistic thieves.

The latest crime happened at about 9.20am on Friday 29 November when a woman left the engine of her Renault Clio running in order to defrost the car.

She briefly returned to her house, in Coldstream Walk, Derby, and when she came out, someone had stolen her car.

Her bank card was in the car and was later used to make purchases in Sinfin.

A woman was defrosting her Toyota Corolla outside her home in Rose Hill Street, Normanton, at 8.40am on Tuesday 19 November when it was stolen.

The car was later involved in a crash in Draycott Road, Sawley and a 43-year-old man was charged with theft and traffic offences.

Witnesses to the Coldstream Walk crime should contact us quoting reference 19*639068. You can call us on 101 or contact us online:

·       Facebook – send us a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary

·       Twitter – direct message our contact centre on @DerPolContact

·       Website – complete the online contact form www.derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us.

You can also contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.