Motorists in North Lincolnshire are being warned not to leave their vehicles unattended while de-icing them after an Audi car was stolen.

The incident took place in Haxey at around 7.35am on Tuesday, February 7, when thieves made off with a red coloured Audi A4 while its owner left the vehicle running while de-icing it outside a house.

A spokesman for Humberside Police said: "With the cold weather likely to last for a few more days at least, it is important that motorists don't present thieves with easy targets so please try to avoid leaving your vehicle running while unattended as that could well be the last you see of it if an opportunist thief walks by.

“Thankfully incidents such as this are rare but that doesn't mean drivers should take for granted that it won't happen to them.

"You never know who is watching when your are de-frosting your vehicle so were possible please try and allow extra time to clear the ice from your car or van so that you can stay with it and not be rushing in and out of your home doing other bits.

"It may take a few minutes to do but this could save you a lot of time and money by preventing your vehicle from being stolen by an opportunistic thief.”

Anyone who witnesses such a crime or sees any suspicious activity on a morning should contact Humberside Police on 101.

Car stolen after being left unattended to warm up in icy weather