POLICE are warning car owners not to leave vehicles unattended with the engine running as they attempt to defrost windows.

The warning comes after the theft of a car which had been left with its engine running outside a house in Sedgefield, while the owner waited indoors for the windows to clear.

Inspector Brian Maudling, of the community safety partnership in Darlington, said there had been similar thefts in Darlington in past years.

He said: "We want to raise awareness that there are villains who drive round the estates looking for people who do this."