Keyless car theft devices used by criminals sell for £20k online

According to the BBC, 'crime gadgets' used by criminals to steal keyless cars without breaking in are selling online for more than £20,000.

A new law banning the possession of devices used in car theft is set to be introduced shortly. These devices often allow robbers to 'bounce' the signal from a key inside a house to open a car parked outside. However, experts warn that the ban is unlikely to deter gangs, who are loaning the equipment out for large sums or stealing vehicles to order.

The BBC has seen price lists and video guides for devices selling for up to €25,000 (£22,000), which claim to be able to access high-end vehicles such as Lamborghinis and Maseratis.

'An Invasion'

Abbie Brookes-Morris described the theft of her keyless car from her driveway as an "invasion."

The car, which she shares with her partner Tom, was stolen from outside their Wolverhampton home while they slept.

"You don't feel safe," she said, noting that although the thieves did not physically enter the house, the couple no longer felt secure.

A gang was caught on her doorbell camera using a gadget outside her house.

"They're walking back and forth trying to find the signal," she said. "I didn't know that [the technology] existed. They arrived, looked at the car, got the signal, and left—in a matter of two minutes in total."

Ms Brookes-Morris later discovered their vehicle abandoned some distance away, but it had been rendered unusable and immobilised due to the way the theft was carried out.

Rising Theft Rates

According to Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports on police-recorded crime, more than 100,000 vehicles were stolen in the last 12 months. Admiral Insurance reports that between 60% and 70% of vehicle thefts in the last year involved keyless models, though there are no specific statistics on the number of thefts involving these specific devices.

Some devices are disguised as Bluetooth speakers and are intended to target lower-end vehicles, while others are military-grade electronics capable of blocking vehicle trackers so the car cannot be traced once stolen.

"You're only using them if you're stealing cars," said Richard Billyeald, a consultant with Thatcham Research. "There's no legitimate use in any other way at all."

He added: "This transition from the opportunistic theft of cars to organised criminal gangs stealing cars in order to properly earn money has been amazing, and that's why they're investing so much money in these systems."

Organised Crime

The offence is difficult for investigators to detect because the electronics are being distributed around the country by organised crime groups, according to Neil Thomas, a vehicle tracking specialist who assists in recovering stolen cars.

"They'll just loan the computers out," he said. "Criminals are paying large sums, but they will make the payments back. They're potentially stealing 10 cars a week. This is very much organised cross-border crime."

While keyless entry is a convenience for drivers returning to their cars with their hands full of shopping or children, it can become "a nightmare" if your street is targeted by relay theft, said Jack Cousens of the AA.

"The days of 'smash and grab' are fading," he said. "As automobiles become more advanced, would-be robbers do their best to remain up to date. We've seen a rise in relay theft around the country because of this."

Under new legislation in the Crime and Policing Bill, it will become unlawful to buy or possess electronic equipment used to steal cars. Offenders could face up to five years in prison. Previously, police could only prosecute if they could prove the equipment was used to commit a specific offence.