Beware keyless car theft

Here’s how to protect yourself from the latest vehicle crime wave

In the last couple of years, we’ve seen car theft in England and Wales jump to its highest point in a decade. And despite constant advances in security, criminals are finding new ways to get their hands on vehicles. So much so, that last summer, the National Police Chiefs’ Council issued a warning over the growing trend for ‘keyless car theft’.

WHAT IS IT?

Car thieves are exploiting keyless technology by using portable devices to amplify the signal between the fob and your car over a much greater distance. Two devices are used; one is placed outside your home and picks up the signal from your key when it’s inside, this signal is then passed on to a second device positioned by your car, ‘tricking’ it into thinking the real key is nearby so the doors open and the engine starts.

This technique is used on fobs that are entirely keyless. If you have a fob that unlocks your car without a key, but you use an actual key to start the car, you don’t need to worry so much about this form of theft.

HOW CAN I PROTECT MY CAR?

Keeping car keys well away from windows and doors, ideally in a metal container or Faraday pouch (which is lined with material to block signals) will help prevent the signal from being detected outside your home. You can buy a Faraday pouch in Halfords or on Amazon and they cost from £5.

Tom Flisher, PR manager for Thatcham Research, cautions: ‘When buying a Faraday pouch, ensure that it’s designed to store keys, as opposed to credit and debit cards, as it is important that the pouch is completely sealed. To check if it is effectively shielding your key, put the key into your pouch, approach your car and try to open the door – if it doesn’t open, the pouch is working.’

You could also contact the dealership you bought your car from, as it may be possible to switch to a motion sensor enabled fob. These fobs go to sleep when stored at home, so they no longer transmit or receive signals.

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?

If you don’t have an alarm, tracker or immobiliser fitted in your car as standard, there are companies that can fit one for you. The level of security depends on your budget, so do some research to make sure you’re getting what you pay for. Thatcham Research independently rates car alarms and immobilisers by category, so before you invest, check its ratings. Remember your insurance premium is likely to fall when you improve your car security.

We’ve seen car theft jump to its highest point in a decade