Since 2020, van theft has surged dramatically, with over 12,000 vans now stolen annually. As a new trend emerges of thieves using a ‘relay hack’ to steal vans in under 60sec, driving a 5000% increase in online searches asking “how to stop keyless car theft” over the last 3 months, drivers are being issue a warning to be especially mindful.
The Crime and Policing Bill has banned the possession, sale and distribution of the electronic devices and, under new laws, criminals caught with the gadgets – including signal jammers – could face up to five years in prison. Despite this, keyless car theft is still on the rise.
Mike is issuing an urgent warning to drivers with keyless car entry and shares what keyless theft is, and how drivers can protect themselves.
How keyless vans are targeted
“When criminals are trying to steal a keyless van, they use sophisticated technology, which involves manipulating short-range radio waves, to transmit a signal from your key to the technology in your car,” Mike explains. “This can be done in a matter of seconds and means criminals can open your car door as normal, allowing them to enter and start the vehicle as normal.”
“It is worth noting that sometimes this can fail – if there is no signal or if it is blocked for whatever reason, criminals can find a hard time entering. Depending on the car make and model, the car might also require a physical key to be inserted into the ignition to start it.”
How to prevent keyless van theft
“Luckily for drivers, there are numerous steps you can take to prevent failing victim to keyless car theft,” Mike continues, before sharing some useful tips.
1. Store your fob safely
“When you are at home, try to store your key away from doors or windows, if you usually store your key in a bowl or on a hook near the front door, consider moving this upstairs to your bedroom. One of the best ways to store a keyless fob is in a faraday pouch, a specialised bag designed to block electronic signals, these can typically be found online for less than £10 and come in a variety of sizes and styles.”
2. Turn off wireless signals
“If you rarely use your keyless features, some keys allow you to turn off the wireless technology. Before you do this however, it might be worth practising without it for a few days to see if it is something you can truly live without. The keyless feature can also be difficult to reactivate in the future.”
3. Consider additional safety features
There are also some typical van safety features that can be used.
Steering wheel lock
“Investing in a steering wheel lock is a common method for preventing van theft. They act as a physical deterrent to discourage van theft by making it more difficult to drive the van away. Since it is a visible feature, it is more likely to deter opportunistic thieves. Steering wheel locks also come in a variety of shapes to fit different types of van.”
Tracking device
“Devices like air tags can help you track your vehicle should the worse happen and your van is stolen. A good place to hide them is in the lining of the back seats as criminals are unlikely to check for any types of goods.”
Installing outdoor bollards
“Residential parking posts are an ideal solution to making sure nobody can get your vehicle off the driveway. They offer several benefits, including enhanced security by deterring theft and ram-raiding, they can also prevent unauthorised parking and potentially lower insurance premiums.”
“As technology has continued to evolve in vehicles, keyless theft is now one of the biggest risks to car owners,” Mike says, before adding reassuringly: “Despite this there are practical steps drivers can take to reduce their risk.
“While the idea of keyless van theft may seem scary, very few people in the country do have their cars stolen and the police are taking more precautions to prevent it. “
Image from Firefly