Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA says; “Car owners
will be worried to see that car-related thefts are on the rise
again by almost a fifth*.
“Car thieves have clearly shunned the old fashioned opportunistic
tactics of smash and grab as smashing the window and popping the
lock have dropped dramatically**.
“In contrast, almost half of car theft incidents now involve
entering the vehicle through an unlocked door. This shows that
high-tech techniques like relay theft are becoming standard
practice for thieves.
“While car manufacturers are doing all they can to strengthen
their security systems, drivers can play their part too by
parking in well-lit locations, keeping ‘keyless entry’ keys well
away from the vehicle when it’s parked at home and ensuring that
nothing of value is left in the car.
“Drivers need to be aware that with keyless entry and go, if they
leave the keys close to the front door they might as well be
leaving their car unlocked and with the windows wide open.”
“It’s time the Government reviewed the rules around the sale and
use of the high-tech devices that thieves are now using to
intercept and relay signals from car keys.”
ends
Notes to editors
* https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/crimeinenglandandwales/yearendingdecember2017#overview-of-crime
** https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/overviewofvehiclerelatedtheft/2017-07-20
