High-tech thieves fuel new auto crime wave

Organised gangs of criminals are hacking into the personal computer systems of modern automobiles to steal them. But you can take steps to guarantee you do not fall victim.

Higher-tech criminals are leading to a resurgence in the quantity of automobiles stolen in the UK.

An increasing reliance on keyless engine-beginning systems in contemporary cars is becoming exploited by thieves who are in a position to clone drivers’ fobs.

Security warning

Now police forces about the nation are warning motorists to implement additional security measures to avoid the thefts.

Most automobiles that start with a fob rather than an ignition essential allow mechanics to connect to the on-board computer and make a copy.

This is in case the driver loses or damages their original fob.

But hackers are managing to do the same issue using a couple of pieces of inexpensive electronic equipment.

17 thefts a day

This month, police in London revealed that on average 17 cars a day had been getting stolen in this way in the capital, representing nearly half of all car thefts.

Detective Chief Superintendent Carl Bussey runs the Metropolitan Police’s Operation Endeavour, which has been set up to combat keyless auto theft.

He said that officers have been encouraging drivers to take additional measures to safeguard their autos.

“Keyless automobile theft is organised and there are crime groups making a lot of funds from selling on the vehicles and vans they steal,” Bussey added.

‘Damaging our communities’;

“This cash is going back into committing critical crime in our communities.

“We are determined to decrease the number of criminals damaging our communities in this way.”

Figures from the AA show that the trend in auto theft has shown a long-term decline considering that peaking at about 700,000 a year in the early 1990s.

By 2013, this figure had fallen to around 75,000. But the rate is thought to be increasing once more, with numerous thefts getting carried out to order by organised gangs and shipped abroad.

How to foil the thieves

The new wave of keyless thefts seems to be targeting vans such as Ford Transits and Mercedes Sprinters as nicely as higher-value, prestige vehicles such as BMWs, Land Rovers and Range Rovers.

The Met has published a series of safety ideas for drivers concerned they could become victims of keyless thefts. These contain:

• Park in an open, well-lit and safe area if feasible. Use a garage if you have one particular or make confident your car is in view of CCTV cameras.


• Fit an alarm or immobiliser.


• Use a steering wheel lock and/or gearstick lock.


• Take into account possessing an on-board diagnostics (OBD) lock fitted.


• Consider fitting a tracker so that if your automobile is stolen police have a lot more likelihood of discovering it.

The police also say it is essential to make certain all windows, the sunroof and boot are shut and locked when you leave your car, no matter how extended for.

Verify your car is locked

Criminals often use radio jammers to block the door-locking signal from fobs: this is why you ought to use the door handles to physically verify that your vehicle is indeed locked.

If thieves can get inside your vehicle, it makes it less complicated for them to access your on-board personal computer.

Police are putting stress on manufacturers to increase their vehicles’ safety systems.

They are also searching at how to make it more hard for criminals to get hold of the gear they want to carry out this variety of theft.

High-tech thieves fuel new auto crime wave