Cops have issued a warning to Scots drivers defrosting their cars following a spate of opportunistic thefts in the Lanarkshire area.
Drivers have been urged to remain vigilant while removing the ice from their motors after three vehicles were nicked in under 24 hours.
In all three cases, owners had left the engine running in an attempt to clear their windscreens when crooks swooped "within seconds" and drove off.
Detectives probing the thefts do not believe they are linked but they are urging people not to leave their cars unattended and to remain inside the vehicle while it is defrosting. People are also being asked to keep an eye out for suspicious vehicles in the area.
The first reported theft happened around 9am on Monday when a grey Lexus ES300H, registration SG21 DZE was stolen from High Blantyre Road, Hamilton.
A short while later, at 10am, a black a black Vauxhall Vivaro van, registration SA18 RWY, was stolen from Victoria Street, Hamilton. And around 7.30am on Tuesday, a blue Mercedes GLA, registration DX64 JSV, was stolen from Hume Drive, Bothwell.
People in the any of the above areas are being urged to check CCTV and doorbell footage. If anyone has any information it can be passed to police on 101, quoting incident number 0693 of January 16, 2023.
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