Police issue 'frost-jacking' warning after cars stolen

Owners had left their vehicles unattended while the engine was running in order to defrost them

Police have warned drivers about "frost-jacking" after three cars left unattended with their engines running were stolen in Fife.

The thefts happened over a 50 minute period on Friday outside homes in Glenrothes, Kinghorn and Kirkcaldy.

Two of the cars were recovered a short time later.

Police Scotland said the thefts had happened because owners had left their vehicles unattended while the engine was running in order to defrost them.

'Cover windscreens'

The first theft was an Audi A3 in Glenrothes, which was reported at about 08:00 and was traced in Kirkcaldy a short time later.

The second was a black Hyundai i40 in Kinghorn, Burntisland, reported about 08:40.

The third was a blue BMW X3 in Kirkcaldy, which was reported at about 08:50 and traced nearby a short time later.

Det Insp Sammi Davidson of Police Scotland said inquiries were ongoing and appealed for witnesses.

"With temperatures expected to remain low, I would urge residents not to leave their cars unattended as it only takes seconds for an opportunist to take the vehicle," he said.

He added: "I would encourage people to use other options including covering windscreens at night or using manual scrapers or de-icing products."