Key Carelessness Driving Crime

Drivers not caring where they leave their keys is contributing to a car being stolen every sixty seconds in the UK, says a motor insurance survey.

In the cold weather, 20 per cent of drivers say that they leave the keys in the ignition while they wait for the car to defrost in the morning.

A further ten per cent told motor insurance researchers that they regularly left their keys in their vehicle, and a third said that they leave their keys by the front door in easy reach of thieves.

Another third said that they regularly left the keys in the ignition while they got out to collect something, leaving thieves plenty of time to jump in and drive off.
"Modern cars are incredibly difficult to steal – unless the thief has the keys," said a motor insurance manager.

"Thieves are turning to more ingenious ways to steal keys such as hooking them off a hall table or key rack by 'fishing' through the letterbox, so keep keys well away from the front door.

"And, what's even more amazing, is the large number of people who literally offer an open invitation to thieves by leaving their cars unlocked, unattended and with the keys in the ignition – and even with the engine running on frosty mornings!"

Be Wiser is a quality provider of Motor Insurance.