Devices used by criminals to steal keyless cars without breaking in are being sold online for more than £20,000, according to a BBC investigation. New legislation is expected to ban the possession of such devices often used by criminals to intercept signals from car keys within homes and use them to unlock vehicles. However, experts believe the legislation is unlikely to deter organized gangs that are renting these gadgets for substantial sums and stealing vehicles to order.
The BBC discovered price lists and video tutorials for devices claiming to access high-end vehicles such as Lamborghinis and Maseratis, with some tools priced up to 25,000 euros (£22,000). One victim, Abbie Brookes-Morris, described her experience of having her keyless vehicle stolen while she slept at her Wolverhampton home. Her doorbell camera captured a gang using such technology outside her home.
Brookes-Morris expressed her sense of violation, saying, "Although they didn't physically enter the house, you don't feel safe." The method allowed the thieves to steal her car in just two minutes. Although the police eventually found the vehicle abandoned, it was rendered unusable due to the nature of the theft process.
Statistics from the Office for National Statistics indicate that over 100,000 vehicles were stolen in the past year, with between 60% and 70% of them being keyless models. Devices disguised as everyday objects like Bluetooth speakers, as well as military-grade technology to block car tracker signals, are among the tools used.
Richard Billyeald of Thatcham Research, which collaborates with the car industry on security enhancements, asserted, "You're really only using these if you're stealing cars; there's no legitimate use in any other way." He remarked on the shift from opportunistic thefts to organized criminal enterprises stealing cars to order, necessitating investments in such devices.
Neil Thomas, a car tracking specialist, noted that organized crime groups are circulating these gadgets across the country, making it challenging for law enforcement to intervene. "Criminals are paying huge sums, but they'll recoup those amounts by potentially stealing ten cars a week," he explained.
Jack Cousens of the AA highlighted the double-edged nature of keyless entry, stating it’s convenient but becomes "a nightmare if your street is targeted by relay theft." As vehicles become technologically advanced, thieves adapt, leading to a nationwide rise in relay thefts.
The upcoming Crime and Policing Bill in Parliament aims to outlaw the possession or distribution of gadgets used to steal cars, with offenses potentially leading to five-year prison sentences. Previously, it was necessary for police to demonstrate that the equipment had been utilized for theft.