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New tech means new problems for motorists

Vehicle crime is on the increase, and a new study says many new cars are susceptible to thieves because of their high-tech entry system.

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Police say young people are taking cars under instruction from hardened criminals

If you haven't had your car stolen, then chances are you know someone who has.

Vehicle thefts are on the rise across the West Midlands, with the number of crimes nearly trebling since 2015.

But just how are the thieves doing it? And what can you do to protect your prized possession?

The most common thefts now involve modern cars with fancy electronic dashboards and fobs for keys.

Thieves gain entry to the car, normally by the traditional method of smashing a window, before manipulating the electronic diagnostics board (the car's electrics) to print a new key.

The diagnostics board is easy to access as it has to be for garages all over the country to service your car.

But what this means is thieves too can access it easily and programme a blank key to act as a new key for the car. With the new key thieves can drive the car away and, before you know it, it has been taken to a chop shop and dismantled or sold on to an unsuspecting buyer.

So how can you stop it?

Despite the new hi-tech electronics, the old method of using a steering lock on your car comes highly recommended by West Midlands Police. Other advice includes checking with your manufacturer's main dealership to ensure all your software and security is up to date.

Another method used to steal cars is through a relay device, whereby thieves use the device to relay the signal from your key to the car, opening the door and starting the engine.

But, according to police, this is actually fairly uncommon. The reason is because this only works on passive entry cars (cars which open and start when you have the key in your pocket), of which there are not all that many. Most cars with fobs for keys still have a button used to lock, and unlock, the doors and needing placing in the ignition to start the engine.

The advice to stop this type of car theft is to either disable passive entry, which can be done by consulting your handbook or the car's manufacturer, or by keeping your keys in a safe place where a relay device isn't able to pick up the signal.

However, police have advised people not to take their keys to bed with them - in order to keep themselves safe in the event of a burglary. Mark Silvester, the head of crime prevention at West Midlands Police, has also asked people not to store their keys in the microwave, as had been advised in the past, due to cases of people cooking their keys with their evening soup.

The third method used by thieves to steal cars involves breaking into the owner's home to take the keys.

For this police have advised fitting euro cylinder locks, as well as checking, and upgrading if needed, home security, including alarms, CCTV etc.

Cautious

Asked about the rise of car thefts and what can be done to protect your vehicle, Mr Silvester said: "What we have seen over the last few years is the method of attack changing. Keyless car thefts have always happened, it's just that in the 90s thieves used a scaffolding pole whereas now they are manipulating the car's electronics.

"Do not leave your keys in a position where they can be picked up and taken and also be cautious with valets, as they could be taking the keys and copying or cloning them.

"As well as protecting the cars you need to protect your home. We recommend euro cylinder locks as that prevents lock-snapping.

"Also think about where you are parking your car, try and stick to well-lit areas with CCTV and where people are around. If you have a garage park your car in there.

"It happens very rarely but check your car before entering it, as there is a chance a thief may have already gained entry. Also something I would advise is to lock your car doors when you enter, some cars will do this automatically when you travel more than 10mph.

"Protect yourself, your home and your car – those are the three rules. A lot of it comes down to being sensible and applying common sense."

Police say car thefts are normally carried out by youngsters on the order of more experienced criminals. The youngsters see the thefts as an easy way to make quick money, according to West Midlands Police superintendent Dave Twyford, who said: "We’re seeing young men, often below the age of 20, targeted by hardened crooks who are themselves are no longer willing to take the risk to do the time, but still want to thrive off the spoils of car key crime.

“They persuade youngsters with the lure of cash, tracksuits and trainers to take the risk, telling them the police can’t do anything as they have no previous convictions. A huge amount of serious offending among our young people is being discovered.

“These young people can be making anything between £100 and £1,000 a time for each car they steal."

For more information on car thefts and advice on how to protect your car, visit west-midlands.police.uk/crime-prevention