High-tech thieves fuel new auto crime wave

Organised gangs of criminals are hacking into the pc systems of contemporary cars to steal them. But you can take steps to guarantee you don’t fall victim.

Higher-tech criminals are major to a resurgence in the number of automobiles stolen in the UK.

An escalating reliance on keyless engine-beginning systems in modern cars is getting exploited by thieves who are capable to clone drivers’ fobs.

Safety warning

Now police forces around the nation are warning motorists to implement additional security measures to prevent the thefts.

Most vehicles that commence with a fob rather than an ignition key permit mechanics to connect to the on-board pc and make a copy.

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

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

17 thefts a day

This month, police in London revealed that on average 17 vehicles a day have been being stolen in this way in the capital, representing virtually half of all automobile thefts.

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

He stated that officers have been encouraging drivers to take additional actions to protect their autos.

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

‘Damaging our communities’;

“This money is going back into committing severe crime in our communities.

“We are determined to minimize 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 given that peaking at about 700,000 a year in the early 1990s.

By 2013, this figure had fallen to about 75,000. But the rate is thought to be rising once again, with several thefts becoming carried out to order by organised gangs and shipped abroad.

How to foil the thieves

The new wave of keyless thefts appears to be targeting vans such as Ford Transits and Mercedes Sprinters as well as high-worth, prestige autos such as BMWs, Land Rovers and Range Rovers.

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

• Park in an open, nicely-lit and safe region if feasible. Use a garage if you have 1 or make certain your automobile is in view of CCTV cameras.


• Fit an alarm or immobiliser.


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


• Contemplate possessing an on-board diagnostics (OBD) lock fitted.


• Think about fitting a tracker so that if your vehicle is stolen police have more chance of discovering it.

The police also say it is essential to guarantee all windows, the sunroof and boot are shut and locked when you leave your vehicle, no matter how long for.

Check your automobile is locked

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

If thieves can get inside your automobile, it makes it easier for them to access your on-board pc.

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

They are also seeking at how to make it more hard for criminals to get hold of the equipment they need to carry out this type of theft.

High-tech thieves fuel new auto crime wave