Keyless car theft also known as relay theft is a method used by thieves to steal vehicles that are equipped with keyless entry systems.
Relay theft typically involves two offenders who will target cars at or nearby the owners’ home address. There are two devices involved: a relay transmitter and an amplifier.
These devices will fool the car into thinking the key is near, which will allow the thieves to open the doors, start the ignition and drive away. This equipment costs as little as £100, which could suggest why it’s such a common method for criminals.
How to protect your car
There are ways to protect your vehicle from this form of car theft. The signal from the key can pass through doors, walls, and windows but it cannot penetrate metal. A Faraday pouch can be used to store your key, which is effectively a metal mesh inside a fabric or leather bag. The layers of metal absorb the electrons being sent out by the key which either stops or greatly reduces their emission, which prevents car thieves from being able to clone the signal. You can also use a metal container to store your key, which should also block the signal.
A vehicle tracker is also another great way to protect your vehicle. Although it may not prevent a vehicle theft from happening, it will greatly increase the chances of the vehicle being recovered, and you may also receive a discount on your insurance premium!
- Chris Rogers, Branch Manager, Howden Chelmsford