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IS YOUR CAR AT RISK?

Keyless car thefts TRIPLE in parts of Britain as criminals exploit new technology to hack into family cars in seconds

Hacking cars was even described as 'child's play' by one police officer, with crooks being able to steal the vehicles within 30 seconds

KEYLESS car thefts are becoming an "epidemic" across Britain with offences in the worst-hit areas TRIPLING, cops have warned.

Crooks are able to escape with the motors without smashing a single window, with one police officer describing the stunt as "child's play" as cars are being stolen within 30 seconds.

 Ford Fiestas are being targeted by thieves using gadgets bought from eBay and Amazon
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Ford Fiestas are being targeted by thieves using gadgets bought from eBay and AmazonCredit: Handout

Cars including Ford Fiestas are being stolen using a device called a "relay box" - which can be purchased on Amazon or eBay - to extend the signal from the car’s keyless fob.

The method has seen car thefts surge in the past three years after more than a decade of decline.

In Warwickshire, thefts are up by 189 per cent, 59 per cent in Hampshire and 58 per cent in West Yorkshire.

Thefts are also up 56 per cent in Norfolk, reports.

Earlier this week Cleveland Police said that 90 keyless cars have been reported stolen since December - with half of them being Ford Fiestas.

 The new method has seen car thefts surge in the past three years after more than a decade of decline
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The new method has seen car thefts surge in the past three years after more than a decade of declineCredit: Alamy

The car's locking system is tricked by the relay boxes into thinking the key is unlocking it, allowing crooks to get into the vehicle and drive off.

David Jamieson, police and crime commissioner for the West Midlands: "Car thefts have doubled in two years – that’s an epidemic.

"The West Midlands has probably experienced the biggest rise in the country outside [London], but this problem is getting worse everywhere with big urban areas.

"This is making our lives really difficult. It’s sucking up loads of police time that should be dealing with other more serious crime."

Last September West Midlands Police released CCTV footage of a gang using a relay box to steal a Mercedes off a victim’s drive in just 60 seconds.

During the short clip a man waves a box in front of the property and waits for it to receive a signal from the key inside before transmitting it to the second box next to the car.

 The gang wave a relay box in front of the property in Solihull, West Midlands
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The gang wave a relay box in front of the property in Solihull, West MidlandsCredit: West Midlands Police
Police video of a high-tech relay car theft where gang car theft new Mercedes in a minute without keys

The car then allows them access and they drive off, without anyone noticing.

Around 85,000 cars were reported stolen last year alone with 70 per cent of the owners still having their keys on them.


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