POLICE have warned of the increasing risk of car thefts due to motorists leaving their engines running to allow the windscreens to defrost.

Anyone who has to go out early in the morning during the winter months will have noticed this selfish habit of some motorists wanting to "warm-up" their car engines. Indeed, it is sometime necessary to cross to the other side of the road to avoid the poisonous fumes.

These noxious fumes are bound to have a detrimental effect on anyone with asthma or other respiratory problems, especially children.

If the local authority, or a private company, was responsible for emitting these choking fumes from its premises, I am sure that they would be prosecuted for breaking anti-pollution laws.

ALBION