POLICE have issued a warning after cars were stolen from driveways this morning as owners left the engines running to warm up.Within the space of half-an-hour, three cars were stolen from driveways in Chelmsford and Ingatestone as owners left them unlocked and with the engines running.

POLICE have issued a warning after cars were stolen from driveways this morning as owners left the engines running to warm up.

Within the space of half-an-hour, three cars were stolen from driveways in Chelmsford and Ingatestone as owners left them unlocked and with the engines running.

The thefts occurred between 7.20am and 7.50am. A blue Ford Galaxy was stolen from Beehive Lane, Chelmsford, a maroon Peugeot 407 estate from Maldon Road, Ingatestone, and a black Toyota Avensis from Fryerning Lane, Ingatestone.

Two of the three vehicles stolen have since been recovered. The blue Ford Galaxy was found in The Meads, Ingatestone just before 8am. The maroon Peugeot estate was found in Pyms Lane, Galleywood, just after 10am. Both vehicles will be subject of forensic examination.

Essex Police said that it was clear that thieves were targeting the area knowing that drivers were likely to leave cars with the engine running.