OFFICERS in Barnsley have pleaded with residents to not leave their keys in the ignition when defrosting their car, following an increase in the activity of opportunistic thieves.
Barnsley South Neighbourhood Policing Team are urging people to be more aware of those thieves and to ‘not make it easy for criminals’.
They say that car thieves are well-known to drive around estates in the morning - from around 7am to 8am - looking for cars with the keys left in the ignition.
A spokesperson added: “Please do not leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running. “Only a few days ago a delivery driver had his vehicle stolen in the Darfield area in exactly these circumstances.
“Please do not make it easy for criminals.”