Drivers issued urgent warning of 'fake or inadequate' security items as car theft rates soar
Drivers are being urged to have more than one security measure to protect their vehicles
GETTY
Experts are calling on drivers to make sure their car theft prevention methods are reliable as some motorists may still be at risk of having their vehicle stolen.
One of the most common and easiest ways for Britons to avoid having their cars stolen from their driveways or garages is to store their keys or car fobs inside a Faraday pouch.
This is a specially lined pouch that will block the signal from the car fob from being intercepted by criminals trying to steal the vehicles.
Since most modern cars use keyless car entry, drivers are more at risk of having their vehicles stolen in a "relay attack" which can take less than 60 seconds.
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Experts are calling on motorists to make sure their Faraday pouches are secure
GETTYThis involves a criminal intercepting the signal from the car fob with a relay device and using it to unlock the car and start the engine without damaging the vehicle or alerting the owner.
As a result of this, experts urge drivers to use Faraday pouches to reduce the risk of having the signal intercepted, especially if the key is away from windows and doors.
However, experts are now warning that the effectiveness of a Faraday pouch can vary depending on the quality of the products available on the market.
Clive Wain, head of police liaison at Tracker, said: "Unfortunately, it’s not just organised vehicle thieves benefitting from the increase in keyless vehicle thefts.
“Entrepreneurial individuals are also cashing in by selling fake or inadequate pouches, cases and bags to motorists who are trying to guard against falling victim to car theft.
"While a good quality pouch will provide reliable protection against the relay attack devices thieves use to extend the signal between a fob and the car, poor imitations are proving to offer little more than peace of mind.”
It is estimated that 94 per cent of stolen vehicles that were recovered by Tracker in 2023 were stolen by criminals who were using a relay device.
Tracker is now advising that drivers test the efficiency of the pouch with the fob inside by moving it close to the car to see if it will unlock as it normally would.
Experts have suggested that drivers could also use other effective methods to block signals from their car fobs including a metal tin or a fridge.
Despite the advice, drivers are warned against using a metal tin consistently, especially if they are not taking other measures to protect themselves.
Wain added: "Drivers should not rely solely on a car fob protection device. If nothing else, it is easy for anyone to forget to place the key fob and spare inside or to leave the pouch or container open.
"It doesn’t matter if you buy the best Faraday bag available if you don’t use it correctly every time."
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Tracker has also helped uncover several chop shops around the UK
TRACKERThe recovery organisation tracked down 80 per cent of stolen cars in 2023 in less than 24 hours, with 80 suspected criminals being arrested as a result of the action.
Drivers have also become more reliant on doorbell cameras and security camera footage to track down criminals who are targeting vehicles in particularly vulnerable areas.