Manchester United footballer Paul Scholes had his car stolen as he was defrosting his windscreen on Monday (January 28, 2013). The midfielder had left the engine running and the keys in the ignition. Doh!

Police said the grey Chevrolet estate was taken from Scholes' drive at his house in Greenfield, Oldham, at around 08.00 GMT. A police spokesman said, "inquiries to locate the car are ongoing." The midfielder - who initially retired from the game before returning to United's injury hit squad - is understood to have the car as part of the motor company's sponsorship of the Premier League Club. The spokesman added that Greater Manchester Police had issued warnings about "ice bandits - offenders who target vehicles left outside houses, early in the morning, with the engine running while the owner returns to the house."

"Motorists may be tempted to leave their vehicle with the engine running while they go inside to stay in the warm - however, it only takes a few seconds to steal a car when keys have been left in the ignition," he added.