Popular car brands are hot targets for keyless car theft

As new figures from Which?^[1] reveal that four of the five best selling models in the UK are susceptible to keyless theft, TRACKER reports that 88% of all stolen vehicles it recovered in 2018 were stolen without using the owner’s keys – confirming that keyless theft is not just a threat, but a very harsh reality.

Adding to the woes of motorists is the most current Home Office figures on Police recorded crime, which highlight that 50%^[2] of the UK’s reported stolen vehicles are never recovered. Clive Wain, Head of Police Liaison at TRACKER explains: “Car theft is much lower than it was 30 years ago, but it’s on the rise again, with some pointing the finger at keyless technology.

“Sadly, this is supported by our own data which confirms that last year, 88% of the stolen vehicles fitted with a TRACKER device that were then successfully recovered by us, were stolen without using the owner’s keys. This is a disappointing increase from 80% stolen by this method in 2017, but a more significant and worrying increase from 66% in 2016.

“It’s worth remembering that vehicle security should be multi-layered and shouldn’t just rely on a keyless security system. Traditional physical barriers, such as crook locks and wheel clamps can help deter thieves, but in the event of a car being stolen, vehicle tracking technology plays a powerful role in outwitting thieves.”

TRACKER’s longstanding collaboration with UK police forces, combined with its market-leading technology, means it can locate stolen vehicles anywhere, even if they are hidden in a garage or shipping container. Using a unique combination of GSM, VHF and GPS signals, TRACKER units can’t be interrupted by GPS/GSM jammers, making it superior to others on the market. The covert device is hidden in one of several dozen places around the vehicle and because it’s silent, with no visible aerial, thieves won’t even know it’s there.

“Investing in a tracking device won’t stop a car being stolen, but it can significantly increase the chances of police locating it and returning it to the rightful owner,” concludes Clive Wain. “This, plus added vigilance, dramatically contributes to keeping thieves at bay.”