Ice Bandits Cometh...and They Work in Gangs

Watch out for opportunistic thieves this wintry weekend

Manchester, U.K. (PRWEB) November 20, 2008 -- Car insurance (http://www.swinton.co.uk/car/) could be invalidated if drivers leave their car unattended with the keys in the ignition to defrost their windscreens, says Swinton, which is warning motorists to keep an eye out for opportunistic thieves this wintry weekend.

Britain is facing a Baltic cold snap in the coming days with the Met Office warning that we could face temperatures as low as minus 10°C on Saturday.

Motorists who leave their cars unattended to de-ice windscreens give thieves an open invitation and worse still, invalidate insurance policies says the UK's leading high street motor insurance (http://www.swinton.co.uk/car) retailer, Swinton.

Steve Chelton, Insurer Development Manager at Swinton said: "We are predicting a hike in these type of attacks during the cold snap this weekend. On frosty days it's incredible how many drivers leave their car running and nip back inside to finish getting ready - an open invitation for thieves.

"Last week in Manchester a gang who call themselves 'The Ice Bandits' were arrested over the theft of more than 40 cars which had been left running by their owners!"

Last year, Swinton saw a 20% hike in the theft of cars by opportunistic ice-bandit thieves.

Scotland and North Yorkshire are set to experience the coldest weather this weekend with London and the South East also in line for wintry conditions. Swinton is urging all drivers across the UK to take care this weekend.

On frosty winter mornings Swinton (www.swinton.co.uk) recommends that motorists use de-icer and a purpose-made ice scraper to clear the windscreen.

For further information please contact Anoushka Foster or Lucy Oates at SKV PR on Tel: 0161 838 7770 or email: lucy.oates @ skvpr.co.uk

About Swinton

• With 470 branches nationwide Swinton is the largest high street insurance broker.

• Unlike many other companies in the financial services industry, Swinton is committed to keeping its branches open for business, and part of the community.

• Swinton provides a one-stop-shop for the insurance and related needs of its clients, offering home, car, caravan, business, holiday, motorbike and even classic car insurance

• With a dedicated team of advisors on hand at every branch to search a panel of insurers to offer quality cover at competitive rates

###