Police warn of keyless car theft surge across Lothians
Car owners in Edinburgh are being warned about an “emerging trend” which sees criminals steal vehicles without a key.
Motorists across the Capital and wider Lothians are said to be “terrified” by the recent surge in key “cloning” which allows thieves to steal vehicles “in seconds”. Despite a reduction in overall motor thefts so far this year compared with 2022/23, regional MSP Miles Briggs has had “more contact than ever” from locals worried about their cars.
The Tory politician said people were increasingly worried about new technologies being exploited by criminals as well as a surge in home break-ins for the purpose of stealing cars. And a police chief in the Capital confirmed cops were cracking down on the “new avenue” opened up by technology.
Detective Superintendent Iain Ramsay said: “A recent emerging trend in criminality is the keyless theft of motor vehicles that has resulted in easily acquired technology being used to steal high value vehicles in a matter of seconds without the need for a true key.
“A national response was instigated named Operation Enzone and all Scottish divisions worked closely with specialist internal departments, partner agencies and the motor industry in an effort to reduce this crime type.
“This crime type has opened a new avenue for criminality. However arrests of individuals and seizures of equipment have resulted in a downturn in keyless theft.”
DSU Ramsay added that the Edinburgh Police Division had a dedicated investigation team dealing with housebreaking and subsequent vehicle theft.
He also said the Capital saw a surge in motorcycle theft each summer due to influxes of European holiday-makers making their way to the north of Scotland.
Overall motor theft numbers across Scotland steadily increased between 2021 and 2023, according to official figures.
Cases in which criminals break into homes with the aim of stealing car keys are not included in that tally and are instead recorded as housebreaking.