Owners the key to cutting thefts

As many as 20 per cent of drivers leave their keys in the ignition when paying for petrol - making themselves easy targets for forecourt thieves, says a report yesterday.

Some were away from their cars for more than five minutes, revealed car security company Toad Innovations.

It carried out spot checks on more than 2,000 cars at petrol stations throughout England.

The problem was getting worse, said the survey - estimates last year revealed that only 10 per cent were leaving keys in the ignition.

The company revealed that there are more than 20,000 thefts of cars form petrol stations every year as a direct result of drivers' forgetfulness.