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Devices enabling criminals to steal keyless cars without forced entry are being sold online for prices exceeding £20,000, a BBC investigation reveals. These sophisticated gadgets can intercept or relay key signals from inside a home, granting thieves the ability to unlock and steal vehicles remotely. Although legislation is soon to be introduced making ownership of such theft-enabling devices illegal, experts warn that organized crime groups will continue using and lending out these tools to carry out thefts on demand.
The BBC obtained documents including price lists and instructional videos showing devices capable of targeting high-end cars such as Lamborghinis and Maseratis, with some priced around €25,000 (£22,000). One theft victim, Abbie Brookes-Morris, described the experience of losing her keyless vehicle as a profound invasion. Her car, shared with her partner in Wolverhampton, was stolen while they were inside their home asleep. Despite the perpetrators never entering the house physically, Abbie expressed feeling unsafe and vulnerable following the incident.
Footage recorded by a doorbell camera revealed a group of thieves using an electronic device to hunt for the vehicle’s signal outside Abbie’s home. “They’re walking back and forwards trying to find the signal. I didn’t know that thing existed, I had no idea,” she explained. The entire theft took mere minutes. Though the police eventually recovered the car abandoned at a distance, the vehicle was rendered unusable due to the method of theft.
According to recent figures from the Office for National Statistics, over 100,000 vehicles were stolen in the last 12 months. Data from Admiral Insurance indicates that 60% to 70% of these stolen vehicles were keyless models, though the proportion of thefts involving these electronic devices specifically remains unknown. Some of the gadgets found resemble everyday items like Bluetooth speakers and are designed to target cheaper vehicles, while others employ military-grade technology capable of blocking tracking signals, preventing stolen cars from being located. Richard Billyeald from Thatcham Research emphasized that these devices serve no legitimate purpose other than facilitating crime, highlighting a shift from opportunistic vehicle thefts to organized gangs stealing cars on commission.
One of the major challenges in tackling this crime lies in the way these devices circulate. Neil Thomas, an expert in vehicle tracking, noted that gangs often lend these tools to one another, making it easier for criminals to recover their substantial investments by stealing multiple cars weekly. This underlines that relay theft is a coordinated, cross-border criminal enterprise. While keyless entry systems offer convenience to drivers, they have unfortunately become a vulnerability. Jack Cousens of the AA explained that traditional smash-and-grab thefts are declining, with criminals instead improving their technology to stay ahead—and this is why relay thefts are increasing across the country.
Legislation included in the Crime and Policing Bill currently progressing through Parliament will criminalize possession and sharing of electronic devices used in car theft, carrying penalties of up to five years imprisonment. Previously, prosecution required proof that the equipment had been employed in a specific crime, limiting law enforcement’s ability to act preemptively.
To help prevent keyless vehicle theft, owners are advised to take several precautions. Using protective pouches, known as Faraday pouches, can block the car key fob’s signal. Many modern cars also offer settings allowing owners to disable keyless entry features. Additionally, experts recommend not taking keys upstairs at night to reduce the risk of thieves intercepting signals or attempting a confrontation to steal keys directly
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