Police chiefs warn keyless car owners of an increase in thefts by criminals using mobile devices to copy their electronic codes.
Vehicle crime increased by 3.1% between May and June, preliminary figures from the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) show – the majority of which is due to keyless theft.
They use what is known as relay technology to receive the key’s signal from the car owner’s house, transmit it to a portable device, and unlock and start the vehicle, the NPCC says.
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said, “The rapid pace of development in technology has dramatically improved the driver’s driving experience, but has also enabled criminals to exploit vulnerabilities in electronic security.
“I would like to encourage drivers to take simple steps to keep their vehicle safe, such as:
“It’s also worth going back to the basics like locking the car.
“We know from research that some owners think that cars lock automatically – they don’t. Always check that it is locked before you leave. “
Police say they are working with automakers to share details about gadgets confiscated from thieves and to address the technology gaps.
Picture:
Relay technology is used to receive the signal from a key inside a house. That signal is then transmitted to a wearable device so they can unlock the car and drive. File pic
What is relay technology?
Auto Express explained the high-tech method preferred by criminals in December: “When working as a couple, one thief stands with the transmitter next to the car, while a second carries the amplifier around the house.
“If the button is close enough, the amplifier can amplify its signal and send it to the transmitter.
“This transmitter then effectively becomes the key, tricking the car into thinking the real key is nearby, allowing the thieves to open the car, get in and drive away.
“The entire process can only take 60 seconds and can be completed almost silently.”
Picture:
Thieves prepare to use relay technology to steal a car outside a house in Solihull, West Midlands. Image: WMP
Last week, seven members of an organized crime gang were convicted of more than 50 keyless thefts involving vehicles valued at £ 2.4 million Leicestershire. They were imprisoned for over 30 years in total.
Earlier this month, in Liverpool, five people were sentenced to a total of more than 23 years in prison for a range of offenses, including the theft of keyless cars valued at around £ 2.6 million.
And also a man in last week Cheshire was found guilty of multiple car and key thefts – and sentenced to more than seven years in prison.
Jack Cousens, director of road traffic for the AA, said, “Technology sold as a convenience for motorists is becoming the best tool for car thieves.
“Relay theft is now the preferred way to steal a car because it’s fast and quiet. The days of ‘smash and grab’ are over and have been replaced by ‘bounce and roll’ as thieves now have the signal from the keys in House on the car and roll away with the goods.
“As quickly as manufacturers try to devise ways to make vehicle safer, thieves will work just as hard to beat them.
“The best way to protect cars with keyless entry is to keep the keys off the front door and buy a (security) bag.
“For less than a decade, this will stop the signal from being transmitted and keep the car where it is parked. Drivers should remember to buy two bags – one for the master key and one for the spare key.”
