Car Thefts On Increase, Beware Of Smart Keys

Saturday, 30. July 2011

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There has been a shocking rise in car thefts. It is the first time car thefts have increased in almost 20 years. The amount of money available to spend on car crime has been either slashed or cut completely according to the police. The Association of Chief Police Officers has said that things are likely to get worse as annual funding of £300,000 to its Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service has been removed by the Home Office. This has left the 17 strong team reliant on private funding. The forces only two dedicated stolen vehicle units have also had funding removed.

The Met will also have to axe its Stolen Vehicle Unit next year. Last year 109,000 vehicles were stolen with 38,000 in London. The rise in thefts has been blamed on new sophisticated equipment according to research centre Thatcham.

These include ‘relay attacks’ in which the car thief replicates the signal from a smart key in the owners pocket then uses the signal to gain access to the car and start the engine.

It’s difficult staying one step ahead of the crooks and it’s a bit of a step away from the bit of bent wire on the end of a cane through the letter box allowing the crook to lift the car keys carelessly left on a table by the front door.

Are you worried by car theft or have you had a car stolen? Please tell me about it. By Graham Hill