POLICE have warned people it is an offence to leave an idling car unattended in the wake of vehicle thefts in Bradford.

A spokesperson from the Bradford South Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) said: "Please do not leave your car unattended whilst the engine is running. 'Stationary idling' is an offence under section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and you could end up with a fine as well as losing your vehicle to an opportunist."

The warning comes after two car thefts yesterday (Wednesday) in the Bradford South NPT policing area.

The first car theft happened on Reevy Road West, Buttershaw, between 7.15am and 7.20am.

A police spokesperson said: "The victim left his car engine running to defrost it at an address on Reevy Road West. When he came back outside, the car was gone."

The other incident occurred at 7.35am on St Wilfrid's Crescent in Lidget Green. 

A police spokesperson said: "The victim left his car engine running at an address on St Wilfrid's Crescent. He came outside a minute later to find the car gone."

Anyone who has any CCTV or ring doorbell footage of anything suspicious between these times email bradfordsouthnt@westorkshirepolice.co.uk

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