Opportunist car thieves are targeting idle motors being left to defrost across South Lanarkshire.
Four cars have been stolen in East Kilbride and Strathaven in the last week, adding to a spate of vehicles being nicked in similar circumstances across the region.
At 9am on Wednesday December 7, a Seat Ateca was stolen from the Calderwood area of East Kilbride.
Two days later, on Friday, December 9, a Mini Countryman was nicked from the Hairmyres area at 6.20am.
Ten minutes later at 6.30am on Friday, December 9, a Ford Mondea was stolen from Greenhills.
At 7am the same day a Hyundai was nicked by thieves in Strathaven.
East Kilbride Police Inspector David Doherty told Lanarkshire Live all vehicles taken were left unattended while defrosting outside the owners' homes.
Calling on car owners to be extra vigilant this winter, Inspector Doherty said: "We would ask that members of the public do not to leave their cars unattended outside their homes whilst they defrost the vehicle windows.
"There has been a number of reported thefts in the East Kilbride area and beyond. Even cars with a keyless start can be taken off a driveway and driven for a considerable distance without the key.
"The police know that criminals are actively searching for cars on cold and frosty mornings and any unattended in these circumstances makes for easy pickings.
"It has also been my experience that many insurance companies will not pay out a claim for a car that has been stolen while left unattended with the engine running.
"That aspect in particular makes for a very sorry Christmas with not only the loss of your car but an invalidated insurance policy as well."
Anyone with information on car theft is urged to contact 101.
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