Atherstone motoring alert: The key to keeping your vehicle on the drive

POLICE ADVISE ON WHAT'S TOP OF SHOPPING LIST FOR CAR THIEVES

SPECIFIC FIAT AND FORD MODELS ARE POPULAR TAKEAWAYS AS COPS ADMIT RISE IN CRIME GENRE

FIATS and Fords are currently top of the shopping list of vehicle thieves in Atherstone and North Warwickshire.

Police are warning motorists to be extra vigilant as car thefts are on the rise generally since Covid lockdown eased – and those models are particular favourites for being stolen.

Ford Fiestas and Fiat 500/595 Abarth models are the most commonly stolen in the district, according to North Warwickshire Police.

But other vehicles on the hit list are Nissan Qashqais and X-Trails as well as Vauxhall Corsas.

A police statement urged: "Vehicles are being stolen without keys from areas such as car parks, driveways and public roads."

The Warwickshire force is encouraging simple precautions such as parking vehicles in garages at home and in lock-ups, or blocking them on driveways to deter further thefts.

It added: "You should also consider using a visible theft deterrent system such as steering wheel locks, immobilisers, trackers, Faraday pouches or bags if the vehicle is keyless entry."