Drivers have been warned about a common winter habit that could cause them to lose their car.
Merseyside Police issued the warning on Christmas Day, to highlight the crime that motorists can fall victim to at this time of year.
Posting on the Wirral Police Facebook page, officers said every winter cars are stolen from outside properties because their owners leave them unattended while they wait for them to de-ice.
Police said this is all the time an "opportunistic thief" needs to steal a vehicle and warned that insurance companies may not pay if vehicles are stolen in this way.
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They said: "Every winter cars are stolen from outside peoples houses because owners leave them unattended, keys in the ignition, while they warm up and the windscreens defrost.
"Some victims nip inside for a few seconds to collect a bag or finish the last mouthful of coffee - buts that's all the time an opportunistic thief needs.
"Insurance companies may not pay out for vehicles stolen in this way, and if your house keys are stolen as well, your making your house vulnerable too.
"Clear windscreens with de-icer and a scraper or sit in your vehicle while the heater de-mists your windscreen.
"Freeze out car thieves on frosty mornings."
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