FAST-acting thieves stole a car in Castle Bromwich this morning, prompting a fresh appeal from police for drivers not to leave the engine running in cold weather.
Overnight temperatures dropped to around -6, with many motorists waking up to find their vehicles had been frozen over.
But the incident in Hodnell Close - in which opportunists drove off with a Mazda - is a stark reminder about the dangers of leaving the keys in the ignition while trying to clear the ice from the windscreen.
The crime was one of three similar incidents that Solihull Police confirmed on social media, with cars also reported stolen in Knowle and Dorridge. In total the thefts amounted to more than £100,000.
A spokesman said: "We are warning car owners it only takes a few seconds for their vehicle to be taken from a driveway or outside their homes.
"Opportunist car thieves watch the weather forecast and we are advising car owners not to nip back inside their home when a car is defrosting. Motorists should stay with their vehicle and use a de-icer spray or scraper to speed up the process."
The cold snap is set to continue over the next few days, with sub-zero temperatures expected again tonight.
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