MOTOR thieves nicked more than 750 vehicles in Glasgow last year - an average of 13 being stolen every week.

Figures obtained by the Freedom of Information act revealed a total of 773 cars were reported as being pinched in the Greater Glasgow area in 2018.

Since January this year, 129 vehicles have already been listed as being stolen, as thefts on cars remain stubbornly high.

It means more than 1,500 cars were stolen within the last three years.

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Cops revealed Greater Glasgow has had the highest number of vehicle thefts out of every area in the country so far in 2019.

Lanarkshire followed closely behind, with 124 cars being swiped since January.

Argyll and West Dunbartonshire had the lowest figures, with just 13 cars stolen over a period of four months.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Police Scotland regularly advises the public about keeping their property and possessions, including motor vehicles, secure.

“We carry out initiatives to highlight how to prevent becoming a victim of vehicle crime.

“However, we also need the public to play its part by not leaving vehicles running or unattended, with keys in the ignition, while defrosting or keys visible within the home.”

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In 2017, stats showed 691 cars were nicked in Glasgow, revealing the number of thefts continue to rise year by year.

In Lanarkshire, 803 motors were taken in 2018, a slight jump from the 683 stolen from the town in 2017.

Last month residents in Bearsden were warned to watch out for a new style of theft which resulted in several cars being stolen.

A number of incidents were reported throughout the area and nearby Milngavie, with thieves “fishing” car keys through a letterbox.

To prevent vehicle thefts, Police Scotland has issued a number of measures owners can use.

These include fitting a car alarm, using locking wheel nuts and parking in well-lit, CCTV covered areas.

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The police force also warned about the dangers of drivers leaving their engines running while defrosting ice from vehicles.

During the cold snap earlier this year, they warned how opportunist thieves operate in residential areas on frosty, cold mornings and they look out for vehicles that have been left with their engine running.

Police Scotland said: “We would urge motorists to leave extra time to go outside and defrost the vehicle themselves, and not leave it unlocked with the engine running.”