Motorists in the UK have been warned by car insurance experts that they risk "inviting" thieves by leaving expensive items on show in their vehicles, after research suggested drivers are becoming complacent about car crime.

Admiral's car insurance experts questioned 3,000 motorists and found that three quarters admit leaving items like mp3 players, CDs and handbags on display in their unattended vehicles. That marks a two per cent rise on the same figure for last year.

The researchers say that there may have been a year-on-year drop in the percentage of customers making car insurance claims because of theft since 2005, but the trend is in danger of being reversed if motorists don't make the effort to prevent car crime.

"It's a worrying trend that more motorists are happy to leave expensive items on show in their cars," says the car insurance provider's Sue Longthorn. "It only takes seconds for an opportunistic car thief to break a car window and grab what's inside."

She points out motorists' tendency to leave Christmas shopping in view on their back seats during the festive season and urges them to lock gifts out of sight instead.

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