With freezing temperatures having made a return in the early part of this winter, the AA is warning drivers not to leave cars unattended with the keys in them while they warm up on frosty mornings.

On one cold night in Birmingham recently six cars were stolen in just 30 minutes after owners left them unattended. Ian Crowder, a spokesman for the AA said, 'We have already had our first reports of cars stolen after being left unattended to defrost. This is called 'Frosting. 'Cold weather is a car thief's friend and the security of the car is only as strong as the security of your keys.”

Unfortunately, many of the victims of 'frosting' will discover that their insurance companies are less than sympathetic to their plight. Many insurance companies specifically exclude vehicle thefts that occur while the vehicle is unlocked and unattended from their insurance policies. In many cases of 'Frosting', insurance companies rule the theft was down to the driver not keeping their car secure, and refuse to pay out.

The AA recommends that drivers invest in ice scrapers or windshield covers in order to speed up de-icing the car, and removing the need to leave cars open and running.