The once tranquil islands of Orkney are no longer safe at least for car owners.

This after police reported that at least 60 cars have been stolen in Orkney Islands in the last seven years.

And according to the police, all the cars that were stolen, except for one, had been left unlocked with the key in the ignition.

"It is an island thing. People just park their cars and leave the keys in them," Detective Sgt. Bob Mackenzie, of the Northern Constabulary, reportedly said. "It is a way of life up here. People are very trusting and it has always been that way. The cars are mainly taken at weekends, after a night out, by somebody trying to get home. We have only ever had one 'hot-wiring' car theft."

Police added that all the cars except for one that was traced later to Aberdeen, were later recovered on the island.

"People in Orkney do not expect their cars to be taken because the crime rate was so low compared to other parts of Britain," said Mackenzie.

In view of the alarming rise in car thefts people in Orkney have been advised not to leave their cars unlocked or their keys in the ignition.