£12.7m worth of unattended cars stolen every year

Swiftcover research has shown that more than 2000 cars are stolen every year as motorists leave them unattended to warm up on cold mornings.

The online insurer said this represented £12.7m of losses.

Swiftcover claims director Robin Reames said: “Leaving a car with keys in the ignition provides a perfect opportunity for thieves, and we as motorists are especially likely to do this at this time of year. People have an ‘it won’t happen to me’ attitude and think that it’s fine to quickly nip into the house. However in reality, it can and does happen anywhere in the UK.

“The first quarter of every year unfortunately sees a dramatic rise in this type of crime, and it happens even in the most prestigious neighbourhoods."

Swiftcover has warned motorists that insurers may invalidate car insurance if a policyholder was to walk away from their car while the keys are left in the ignition.