Higher-tech thieves fuel new automobile crime wave

Organised gangs of criminals are hacking into the laptop systems of modern automobiles to steal them. But you can take actions to make certain you do not fall victim.

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

An increasing reliance on keyless engine-starting systems in modern day vehicles is being exploited by thieves who are able to clone drivers’ fobs.

Security warning

Now police forces about the country are warning motorists to implement further safety measures to prevent the thefts.

Most vehicles that commence with a fob rather than an ignition important enable 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 identical issue using a couple of pieces of low-cost electronic gear.

17 thefts a day

This month, police in London revealed that on typical 17 automobiles a day have been being stolen in this way in the capital, representing practically 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 vehicle theft.

He said that officers have been encouraging drivers to take additional methods to protect their vehicles.

“Keyless vehicle theft is organised and there are crime groups creating a lot of money from selling on the cars and vans they steal,” Bussey added.

‘Damaging our communities’;

“This income is going back into committing significant crime in our communities.

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

Figures from the AA show that the trend in vehicle theft has shown a extended-term decline because 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 believed to be increasing once again, with a lot of thefts getting 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 effectively as higher-worth, prestige automobiles such as BMWs, Land Rovers and Variety Rovers.

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

• Park in an open, well-lit and safe region if possible. Use a garage if you have a single or make positive your vehicle is in view of CCTV cameras.


• Match an alarm or immobiliser.


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


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


• Contemplate fitting a tracker so that if your car is stolen police have far more chance of obtaining it.

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

Check your car is locked

Criminals sometimes 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 car is indeed locked.

If thieves can get inside your vehicle, it tends to make it less difficult for them to access your on-board laptop.

Police are putting pressure on companies to enhance their vehicles’ safety systems.

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

Higher-tech thieves fuel new automobile crime wave