The net closes in on tech-savvy car thieves

Tracker Network U.K., welcomes the news that sophisticated, ready-available electronic devices frequently used by criminals to steal cars will be banned under new laws in England and Wales. The Crime and Policing Bill  will be introduced in Parliament this week in a bid to crack down on antisocial and criminal activities, including vehicle theft.

The news comes as Tracker reveals that 97% of vehicles it recovered in 2024 were stolen without the key fob being present, probably as a result an electronic theft device was used.  

“As a long-standing campaigner against the sale of devices that intercept keyless car fob signals and tools that jam GPS tracking technology, we hope this ban on the possession and distribution of these devices, along with a proposed 5-year prison sentence for those breaking the law, will deter criminal gangs,” commented Clive Wain, Head of Police Liaison at Tracker. “In 2024, Tracker worked alongside U.K. police to recover 24 million pounds worth of stolen vehicles which led to 144 arrests. However, these new laws will give police greater powers to act swiftly on criminal activity without the need to obtain warrants that delay the process and give criminals time to dispose of the evidence, so this success rate should only improve.”

Keyless car theft is an extremely common, yet sophisticated method used by organised crime gangs, with a variety of keyless theft methods being regularly used. The most prevalent form of keyless theft is relay attack, which involves two perpetrators working together using an electronic device to intercept a short-range key fob signal, usually when the key fob is within the victim’s home. Another relatively new method is the hacking of a vehicle’s CAN bus or circuit board to disable locking and alarm systems. Both methods enable thieves to electronically gain entry to a vehicle and drive off within seconds.

GPS jammers are also frequently utilised by thieves. These inexpensive devices are used to disrupt signals to and from GPS satellite devices, essentially allowing a stolen and tracked vehicle to disappear off the radar. Thankfully, Tracker’s unique VHF with GPS/GSM technology makes its stolen vehicle recovery units immune to GPS jamming.

Wain continues, “Keyless car theft has risen at an alarming rate over recent years, and whilst manufacturers are constantly updating security technology in their vehicles as result, organised criminals are resourceful and quick to adapt. However, the new legislation is extremely positive news and will further support the efforts of Police as they continue to tackle the increasing challenge of vehicle theft. But we must not let our guard down, the battle against car theft is far from over so motorists must remain vigilant and safeguard their vehicles at all times.”

Tracker is the only stolen vehicle recovery expert that works in partnership with every police force across the U.K. to assist in the unrelenting battle against organised vehicle theft rings. Working like an electronic homing device, Tracker’s stolen vehicle recovery devices boast a covert transmitter hidden in one of several dozen places around the vehicle, with no visible aerial. With a 95% success rate of recovering stolen vehicles, Tracker is the best defence against determined thieves.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-powers-for-police-to-tackle-neighbourhood-crime