There has been recent data from a vehicle insurance company that has revealed that car theft is at an all-time high in the UK, increasing by 59% between 2021 and 2022.
Most particularly in the winter months, many crimes increase in popularity thanks to the darker evenings, with criminals thinking they can go unnoticed. There has since been an increase in car thefts and high-value spare parts such as catalytic converters, laser headlights and even steering wheels that organised gangs of thieves find lucrative. This has possibly been caused by the high-tech nature and cost of these components, and the general shortage of car parts because of the global chain disruptions.
Keyless cars can also be desirable to thieves as it is much easier for them to gain entry and start the engine, using the latest method of ‘Key Relay’ theft. Relay theft attacks exploit vulnerabilities in the signals transmitted by wireless keys, which are typically sending a weak signal for their respective cars to recognise. By scanning and amplifying these signals, thieves are able to convince the car that the key is nearby, gaining access to the vehicle and then being able to drive off with the vehicle.
According to the vehicle insurance company LV, the car brand that has faced the biggest increase in thefts is Lexus, with the number of reported thefts rising by 513% between September 2021 and 2023. Other brands that are typically targeted by thieves include Toyota, with thefts increasing by 103% between September 2021 and 2023. Following this is Hyundai, rising by 81% and Kia, which rose by 76%.
WAYS TO PREVENT VEHICLE THEFT
There are several security methods that can be used to protect your vehicle at all times, no matter the weather or time of day. Here are some of the following methods:
Faraday/RFID Pouch
One method to protecting your vehicle against keyless car theft is by placing your vehicle’s key inside a Faraday/RFID blocker pouch, which has a conductive fabric covering that blocks the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) when it is not in use. This prevents thieves from accessing the signal from your key so that your car cannot be unlocked.
Vehicle Immobilisation System
In addition, installing an immobilisation system to your vehicle can also help keep your vehicle always secure. Our X-Series CAN Bus Immobiliser can prevent key relay theft as it requires a unique PIN to be entered before the vehicle can be driven. If the vehicle’s ignition is started without the code being entered, the vehicle will automatically be immobilised, preventing opportunistic thieves from driving the vehicle away.
GPS Tracking System
Installing a GPS tracking system to your vehicle would allow you to locate your vehicle 24/7, even if it has been stolen. The system uses GPS technology to track the location of your car, allowing you to quickly notify the authorities who will then help to recover your vehicle. Our ScorpionTrack trackers actively protects your vehicle against unauthorised movement using advanced technology along with movement detection sensors hidden within the vehicle. Additional features include Automatic Driver Recognition (ADR) and optional immobilisation which provides enhanced security and prevents your vehicle from being driven away. It also offers 24/7/365 theft monitoring to provide security and peace of mind whilst offering a comprehensive range of driver convenience features for life on the road.
Consider investing in additional security for your vehicle to significantly reduce the risk of your vehicle being stolen and enjoy peace of mind knowing that your car is safe and secure.
