Careless drivers in Staffordshire see cars swiped in cold snap as police issue 'won't pay' warning

A number of drivers saw their cars stolen in the cold snap in easily-avoidable thefts. Staffordshire Police issued a warning to drivers amid a spike in thefts in the country after the temperatures plummeted this week.

Cars were taken in Stoke-on-Trent, Lichfield and south Staffordshire, which could have been prevented, the force said. A Ford Puma was stolen on High Street in Chase Terrace, Burntwood, after it was left running to defrost at around 9am on Wednesday, November 20.

The vehicle had a keyless start option so the car could be taken despite the owner having the keys at the time the thief drove off. A similar theft, involving a Volkswagen Passat, happened a day before on the edge of Stoke.

READ MORE: Woman dies in crash near university campus

A thief struck in Waverton Road in Bentilee at 6.50am. The car was recovered the same day and enquiries into the theft continued.

Police warned drivers to be on their guard with thieves around between 6am and 10am, when drivers are often defrosting vehicles before heading to work. The force said: “Thieves are looking for easy opportunities and have been targeting vehicles left unattended.”

The other issue is motorists are unlikely to be able to claim on their insurance if they have left the keys in the ignition or the car running, unattended, while it is being defrosted.

Brumwish 2024 - buy a gift for a child in need

BrumWish 2024 is Birmingham Live's festive drive to get thousands of gifts to children and young people across our city - among them the homeless, the vulnerable, kids in care, kids who are poorly or struggling, and kids who have little.

There are THREE simple ways to help.

1. Buy a new gift from the Brumwish 2024 Amazon giftlist. In just a click your donation will be whizzing its way to our volunteers at Edgbaston Stadium.
2. Donate money to the appeal fund hosted by Thrive Together Birmingham - this will help pay for gifts for kids with specialist needs or specific wishes.
3. Buy a gift and, even better, rope in friends, neighbours and workmates to do the same, then drop off your pressies at Edgbaston Stadium, Edgbaston Road, B5 7QU on Friday 6th December, 10am - 3pm; Saturday 7th December, 10am - 1pm; or Monday 9th December, 10am - 1pm. Volunteers will be there to help you. Please don't wrap your gifts. You can also drop off by arrangement until Monday 16th December - contact Louise on 07469 979286.

Thanks to our partnership with #Toys4Birmingham, every single gift will find a good home in the loving care of a child living in B&Bs or hotels, hostels or refuges, children receiving support from specialist organisations and charities, and families being supported by children's centres and charities around the city.

Making up the Brumwish and Toys4Birmingham gang are Thrive Together Birmingham, Birmingham Playcare Network, Warwickshire Cricket Foundation (the charitable arm of Warwickshire County Cricket Club), Birmingham Forward Steps and BirminghamLive/Birmingham Mail.

Thank you to Amazon UK and the amazing team at the Sutton Coldfield depot for their support.

Chief Insp Paul Finlayson said: “We’re urging people not to make it easy for opportunists in this cold weather snap. Please make sure you stay with your vehicles at all times when they’re defrosting or running.

“Even if it means you’re going to be slightly late, it is better than having your vehicle stolen. Insurance companies likely won’t pay out of vehicles are stolen while they’re left running with the keys inside.

“Please allow for extra time in the morning before setting off to make sure your vehicle is fully defrosted.” To report a theft, call 101 or use Live Chat on the Staffordshire Police website. https://www.staffordshire.police.uk/. The spokesperson added: “Always call 999 in an emergency.”