Theft from Motor Vehicles Advice

Hertfordshire Police have released the following information due to a rise in thefts from Motor Vehicles across the St Albans area…

 

Operation Remote – Prevention First

Crime Reduction & Community Safety
Hertfordshire Constabulary
August 2022

Dear Keyless Car Owner

Keyless Theft of Motor Vehicles

Hertfordshire Constabulary has recently seen an increase in this crime type and if you own a keyless car then it could be at risk from thieves. The diagram below shows how a keyless car theft occurs. There are practical steps YOU can take to reduce the risk of your vehicle being
stolen.

Keyless theft: How it works
Keyless theft is the term given when a vehicle is stolen without the thief having physical access to the key. The theft can be committed without the criminal entering your home by simply detecting the key’s signal from outside. The thief will use a signal boosting device which picks up and increases the signal detected from the vicinity of the key to the vehicle, making your vehicle think the key is nearby.

The products detailed below can be found on the Secured by Design or the Sold Secure websites and have been accredited through the Police Preferred Specification scheme.

Faraday Bag Signal Blocker
Faraday pouches have become popular to combat so-called relay theft – where thieves boost the signal from a car’s keyless entry fob to get into the vehicle without the key. The pouches contain a wire mesh, known as a Faraday cage, that can block radio signals from the keyless entry system.

Steering wheel lock or Crook Lock

Steering wheel lock cover

A Steering wheel cover can cover a steering wheel of between 35-44cm in diameter.

Clutch claw and Pedal Boxes
These products help deter theft by encasing the pedals in a high visibility secure box.

Hard -Off Fob Protector

Smart tamper proof Hard-Off Fob Protector helps your car from being stolen by signal cloning relay hacking attacks.
? Protects keyless entry/start cars.
? 2 Fob Protectors provided to cover both your key fobs.
? Simple to fit. It wraps around your key fob battery.
? Works automatically. Turns your key fob on and off by motion detection.
? Simple to use and easy to live with. It does not change your cars keyless functions.

In addition, also consider the below recommendations.

? Do not leave keys by the door.  Do not leave your keys in the hallway near the front door as fishing for vehicle keys through the letterbox is a prominent method of stealing them. Grabbing the signal will be easier for the thieves if the keys are near the front door.
? Disable fobs.  Some types of key fobs can be switched to disabled, so check your vehicle manual or ask your dealer for advice.
? Install a tracker.  Tracker systems can increase the chances of recovery of your vehicle if it is stolen.  Many systems activate once the vehicle is stolen and track it via GPS and other systems. SBD have several members which specialise in this area and can advise on the best system for your vehicle type and can also fit the product.
? Consider CCTV.  The installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) which can be linked to your television or video to view your garden is an alternative.  If you do decide to use CCTV it is important to read the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) advice on Domestic CCTV systems, ico.org.uk.

If you would like any further information, please contact cpo@herts.police.uk.  Hertfordshire Constabulary does not accept any liability for the above use of the products mentioned in this letter.