Do not make your car cosy for criminals.

Dear all residents, 

This is my first message for 2026! How exciting! Today's message focusing on vehicle crime prevention. 

Every winter, vehicles are stolen from driveways and outside homes when owners leave them running unattended. 

Car thieves will be watching the weather forecast and will be out early in the morning on the lockout for vehicles left unattended, and running to thaw out. Modern vehicles are often targeted in this way. While their advanced security technology makes them difficult to steal, it becomes easy if the engine is running and the key is in the ignition - or inside the vehicle in the case of keyless entry/start systems. There are ways you can beat the frost and stop criminals taking your vehicle:

Put on your windscreen covers - or a large piece of cardboard - the night before, to stop your windows frosting up. 

Applying a steering lock to your wheel will deter thieves at any time of the year. 

Allow extra time to defrost your car and remove windscreen covers. Never drive without fully defrosting your windscreen. Frost can obstruct your view when driving, putting you and other road users at risk of harm. 

Stay with your vehicle as you are defrosting it and if you are in a rush, use de-icing spray and a scraper to speed up the process. 

Sit inside your vehicle with the heater de-mists the windscreen and turn on the air conditioning alongside the defrost settings. 

Always lock your vehicle, checking your fob has done its job. Checks for signs your vehicle is locked, suck as folding door mirrors, flashing headlights/indicators or hearing the alarm engaging. 

Stay safe this winter. If you see any suspicious activity around vehicles, please call us on 101. This could be someone trying door handles or looking into car windows.