Insurers have been warned to expect an increase in crime-related claims as the winter nights draw in.

Autoglass has predicted a 22% rise in the number of customers affected by crime as thieves target cars under cover of darkness.

Managing director of Autoglass Ian Carlisle said: "Longer, darker nights give car thieves more time to commit their crimes - every year we see a significant increase in customers who are victims of car crime after the clocks go back."

The warning comes as official statistics are released which reveal that three quarters of car crime occurs at night.
Autoglass is warning car-owners to carry our safety checks before leaving their cars.

Carlisle added: "Motorists parking in badly lit areas, forgetting to set their alarms or leaving valuables on display after dark are likely to return to find their cars broken into."

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