Criminals caught with devices used in 40% of car thefts to face up to five years in prison under new laws

Updated: 10:15 EDT, 24 February 2025

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Anyone caught with sophisticated electronic gadgets used in 40 per cent of car thefts face up to five years in prison under a new law to crackdown on hi-tech vehicle crime.

On Tuesday, the Crime and Policing Bill will introduce to Parliament a ban on the possession, sale and distribution of gadgets such as signal jammers and relay devices, which are deployed by organised gangs of motor thieves to target high-value vehicles.

These are behind the recent surge in car thefts to near records levels, with criminals able to use technology to steal motors without needing the key or raising the alarm to the owner.

Signal jammers are used predominantly in car parks to prevent drivers from being able to lock their vehicles to provide clear access for thieves.

Relay devices have become an even greater problem for motorists and police, with gangs able to use them to extend the signal of a car key inside someone's home so the vehicle car be unlocked and driven away without detection.

It comes after This is Money revealed that one car was pinched in Britain every eight and a half minutes last year, as we revealed the top 10 models targeted and regional hotposts where criminals are most commonly plying their trade.

Signal blocking is where thieves use a jammer to create a virtual barrier between the key and the vehicle to prevent it from locking when the owner presses the button on the fob. New laws introduced to Parliament aim to crackdown on their availability and use

Anyone caught with a wireless jammer like this and is suspected of using it to steal vehicles could face up to five years in prison under the new laws

Anyone who is found in possession of one, or to have imported, made, adapted or distributed these gadgets could be jailed for five years and receive an unlimited fine, the new rules dictate.

Currently, people can only be prosecuted if there is proof that they have used them to commit a crime.

Under the new law, the burden of proof will be on the owner to demonstrate they were using the device for a legitimate purpose.

Police forces say the devices are used in four out of every 10 vehicle thefts in England and Wales, and in 60 per cent of thefts in London where motor crime is most rife.

According to the 2022/23 Crime Survey for England and Wales, an offender manipulated a signal from a remote locking device in two in five thefts of vehicles.

There were 732,000 incidents of vehicle-related theft in the year ending September 2024, the Home Office said.

Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said: 'These thefts have a devastating effect on victims, who need their vehicles to go about their everyday lives.

'We are aware of the real concerns people feel with the use of these electronic devices being so prolific.

'This is why we are introducing new laws focused on tackling this issue at source, which is what our Safer Streets mission and Plan for Change are all about.

'These new laws will prevent these devices from getting into the hands of thieves and organised crime groups.

'We will also continue to work closely with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, which includes supporting their National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership, which brings together the police and manufacturers to clamp down on vehicle crime.'

Relay devices have become a major problem for motorists and police, with gangs able to use them to extend the signal of a car key inside someone's home so the vehicle car be unlocked and driven away without detection

This graphic shows the four-step explanation for how criminals use relay attacks to steal motors

A device recovered by the Metropolitan Police that was being used in car thefts

Automotive risk intelligence organisation, Thatcham Research, welcomed the bill and emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach to combat increasingly sophisticated vehicle theft operations.

Richard Billyeald, chief research and operations officer, said: 'By criminalising the possession and sale of these devices, we're raising the stakes for criminals while protecting the legitimate automotive sector.'

The evolution in more advanced motor theft tactics in recent years has contributed to record insurance claim payouts.

Latest insurance industry data shows motor insurance claims totalled a record £11.7billion in 2024, and the average vehicle theft claim reaching £11,200 in the final quarter of 2024.

'Vehicle manufacturers have made significant strides in improving security over the past three decades, effectively shifting vehicle crime from low-level criminals to organised gangs,' Billyeald continued.

'Our focus is now on disrupting theft pathways and devaluing stolen assets through technological innovation and cross-industry collaboration.'

RAC head of policy Simon Williams added: 'Outlawing the possession and distribution of signal jammers cannot come soon enough and we welcome the government’s action on this.

'Having your car stolen is not only a violation, it causes massive amounts of stress and inconvenience as well as higher insurance costs for the individual concerned and drivers generally.'

AA president, Edmund King, said: 'Relay theft and signal jamming is all too frequent and these measures will give police forces more opportunities to tackle car crime.'

Four hi-tech car theft tactics

1. RELAY ATTACK

Typically, two thieves will work together. One holds a transmitter and stands next to the car while the other stands close to the house holding an amplifier.

The amplifier can boost the signal from the key inside the property and send it to the transmitter.

The transmitter essentially becomes a ghost key and tricks the car into thinking the real key is nearby. This then opens the car and allows it to be driven away without causing any damage.

2. KEY CLONING

A victim’s key is usually acquired through places such as unscrupulous garages or car washes.

Criminals can then use a device to clone the car keys without the owner's knowledge by copying its unique signal code onto a blank key.

3. SIGNAL BLOCKING

Signal blocking is a commonly used tactic to steal vehicles in busy car parks.

Thieves will watch for when a driver exits their car and is about to press the lock button on the keyfob.

They will then use a signal jammer to block the key from contacting the car in the hope that the owner fails to notice the locks haven't engaged - which is usually alerted with the warning lights blinking and an audible 'beep'. With the car doors remaining unlocked, this provides easy access for thieves.

4. CAN ATTACK

Criminal gangs are gaining access to a vehicle's Controller Area Network (CAN) - which is required for digitally enabled safety and convenience functions (such as automatic emergency braking and headlights etc) - often by brazenly cutting into the tailgate or body panels.

The CAN is considered the nervous system of a car - it enables communication between the various electronic control units' (ECUs) in a vehicle, with the latest models have around 70 ECUs in total.

By accessing the CAN, thieves can infiltrate any aspect of the car, including the vehicle's locking system and keyless ignition.

Ford's Fiesta - Britain's most common car - was the most stolen model in 2024. Some 4,446 were pinched, which is 26% fewer than the year previous. Owners of the Mk6 version pictured (sold between 2008 and 2017) need to be particularly aware of the threat they're under

EXCLUSIVE
Most stolen cars of 2024 REVEALED: A motor was pinched every 8 and a half minutes - is yours among the 20 models under threat?

Most stolen cars and Britain's theft hotspots revealed

Some 61,343 cars were reported stolen to the DVLA last year - that's an average of 168 cars pilfered per day by criminals or seven every hour.

While 2024's vehicle-theft numbers are down 6 per cent on the 64,087 recorded over the year previous, it's still the third-highest annual theft figure seen in the last decade - and more than double the volume in 2015 - as criminals use a variety of advanced tactics to infiltrate modern cars.

Unsurprisingly, the Ford Fiesta - Britain's most-owned motor - is the one that's most commonly stolen, with almost 4,500 examples taken from rightful keepers last year, as This is Money provided a countdown of models targeted in highest volumes.

The DVLA's data also showed that vehicle owners in England are eight times more likely to have their car taken than those in Northern Ireland, four times as likely as those in Wales, and twice as likely as those in Scotland.

Greater London is the UK’s car theft hot spot, with 14,106 cars taken from the region last year.

However, when you take into account the population of each region, it's the West Midlands that has the worst rate of theft: 2.64 cars were stolen there for every 1,000 people.

This is Money's 13 tips to fend-off car thieves

This is Money has spoken to a number of experts across the field of vehicle security to create a list of 13 tips all car owners should follow to best protect their motors.

We've enlisted the help of Thatcham Research, AA President Edmund King and vehicle crime consultant Dr Ken German - previously head of technology at the Met stolen car squad with a PhD in International Vehicle Crime - to compile the ultimate list of car security tips:

1. Make sure your car is locked in the first place

This may seem obvious, but a large proportion of thefts are a result of the vehicle being left unlocked or criminals using signal jammers that block your key fob from communicating with the car's locks.

Drivers should always check the vehicle is locked and the windows are up after using a key fob. Listen for the locking noise and watch for the lights to flash and - if your car has them - automatic wing mirrors to fold.

2. Don't leave your car engine running to defrost windows

Freezing temperatures can tempt drivers into starting the car's engine to deice or defrost the windows, then returning to the warmth indoors until the windscreen is clear.

It might sound obvious but by leaving a vehicle unattended is a huge security risk, even if it's on your own private driveway. In fact, it is illegal to do this, and your insurer is unlikely pay out for any loss if your car is stolen as a result of this.

Thieves will be checking for stationary cars emitting exhaust smoke or that have wing mirrors that normally are folded in when locked but are clearly not.

3. Keep valuables out of sight

'Out of sight, out of mind'. Remove all valuables from your vehicle to make it less of a target to opportunistic thieves.

4. Do you have an alarm and immobiliser?

Ensure your vehicle has a Thatcham-certified alarm, immobiliser and tracking system fitted. Some insurance policies require the fitment of a tracking device, so it's important any associated subscriptions to monitoring services are maintained.

5. Mechanical security systems - like a steering lock - might seem 'old hat' but are a great deterrent

Steering wheel locks, gear clamps, wheel clamps and other traditional security systems can act as a strong visual deterrent against thieves.

6. Install a doorbell camera or CCTV at your home

Doorbell cameras and CCTV systems are becoming increasingly popular as both a deterrent for car crime and to catch thieves.

Make sure you invest in one that has a night vision mode and crisp HD resolution.

Motion-sensing driveway lighting can also be a strong deterrent.

7. If you have a garage, use it!

If you have a garage, try to make sure there is enough room for your car to fit into it, rather than using it for storage for all types of household clutter.

If you have multiple vehicles, almost prioritise the garage for the one of highest value - and park another car in front of the garage door as an extra precaution.

And if you have electric garage doors, do not keep the transponder inside the vehicle, such as in the glovebox. Victims have subsequently found this to be the reason for their property being burgled.

8. Think about where and how you park overnight

Most car thefts take place under the cloak of darkness, so this is the most important time to consider how secure your vehicle is.

If you don't have a garage but do have a driveway, always park tactically.

For instance, if you have a big driveway, park the car sideways to so any thief will need to manoeuvre it. If your driveway is smaller, park facing your house to increase the chances of you being alerted to the lights coming on. And park with the wheels turned on full lock to extend the time it takes for criminals to make a getaway. Even consider parking another less desirable car in front (or behind) your vehicle to prevent easy removal.

Those with driveways can also purchase lockable barriers to restrict access - and experts advise that a car cover is often a deterrent due to the time it takes to remove one and will look suspicious to neighbours and passersby.

If you do not have off-street parking, try to leave your car in a well-lit area - ideally with CCTV monitoring - and in a position that makes it difficult for a thief to move quickly.

Ken German tells us that some motorists are being extra inventive in their bid to protect their cars. Some previous victims are leaving mannequins in the driver’s seat to dissuade unwanted visitors.

9. Check repair centre and bodyshop accreditation to avoid key cloning

If you need to leave your key with a garage or bodyshop, you should check that they are a member of an accredited code of practice/professional standard such as The Motor Ombudsman or The British Parking Association's Park Mark scheme.

This should reduce your chances of falling victim of key cloning.

Also, if you have purchased your vehicle second-hand with only one working key, visit an approved repair centre to have the missing key(s) deleted and add a spare as soon as possible.

10. Consider a dashcam or a car with theft alerts

Dashcams have grown in popularity in recent years, with motorists primarily using them to prove they were not at fault in a crash.

They also act as a great theft deterrent. This is because many of these devices will also record suspicious activity around your car is parked up and you're not in it.

However, make sure you buy one that uploads videos to cloud storage rather than saving it only a memory stick in the dash cam - because you will also lose this if your car is stolen.

Some modern vehicles now offer 'parking mode', which also can also detect and record movement when parked. This can be used as supporting evidence by your insurer and the police.

Many of these alerts will be powered via a smartphone app, so ensure you've activated the feature and turned on notifications.

11. Always wipe stored info from a car before you sell it

Some vehicle apps and connected systems can provide the previous owner with access.

If permissions remain active, ensure that all permissions and data linked to the previous owner are wiped.

12. 'Locust' thieves might strike twice

A new wave of 'locust thieves' exist today who strip cars whilst they're parked at the side of the road and even outside owners' homes.

Many people have woken up to find wheels, bonnets and grills and even doors missing from their cars rendering them undriveable. This is because these parts are becoming more valuable since the pandemic with factory closures and slowdowns meaning some components are not as readily available from manufacturers as pre-Covid.

For instance, a Porsche headlight can be worth up to £1,000 today, which has driven a rise in these parts being stolen. Wing mirrors for top of the range vehicles are also easy-to-steal high-value components.

Ken German warns that falling victim to locust thieves might not be the end of the story. He says owners who have had parts pinched from their car should check around and under the vehicle to ensure thieves have not fitted a tracking device so they can track when the motor is not being used and return at a later date to attempt to steal it.

13. Be aware of scam crash tactics deployed to steal cars

While carjacking still exists today, it is not as prevalent in the UK as it is in some other countries, such as South Africa.

That said, if you are in a high value vehicle you would be wise to drive with the doors locked in traffic.

Also drive defensively when in a queue leaving enough space in front for you to get out of a tight spot should you need to.

If your vehicle is bumped from behind, wait to pull over and find somewhere safe where there are people. If you're suspicious don't unlock the door and call the police.