Reminder not to leave Vehicles Unattended with the Engines Running

Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Policing Team are reminding motorists not to leave their car engines running whilst unattended, after reports of vehicles stolen with the engines running.

Opportunist thieves can take just seconds to drive away in a vehicle which has been left unattended with the engine running.

Delivery drivers have also been targeted in the same way.

Sergeant Daniel Oldroyd said: “Some people often pop back into their homes to collect items or drop things inside but leave their car running on a driveway or parked outside their home without a second thought. In Middlesbrough we have seen instances where someone has taken the opportunity to jump into the car and drive away, all within a matter of seconds.

“Incidents like this can leave people unable to claim on their insurance and therefore hugely out of pocket. We would remind people not to leave their vehicles unattended with the engine running to help stop these opportunist thieves.”