Illegal Electronic Devices Fuel Rise in Keyless Car Thefts in the UK
Gadgets used to steal keyless cars are being sold online for prices exceeding £20,000, with some listings reaching up to €25,000 (£22,000). These devices, which can relay signals from a key inside a home to open a vehicle remotely, have facilitated a surge in car thefts across the UK.
The BBC has uncovered price lists and video guides showing how these gadgets can grant access to high-end cars such as Lamborghinis and Maseratis. Organised crime groups are reportedly circulating and lending these tools, enabling thefts not only on a large scale but also potentially across borders. It is estimated that about 10 cars are stolen each week using these devices.
A recent case in Wolverhampton highlighted the threat when a couple's keyless vehicle was stolen from outside their home while they slept; doorbell footage captured a gang operating a device outside their property.
Statistical data from the Office for National Statistics indicates that more than 100,000 vehicles were stolen in the last 12 months, with Admiral Insurance reporting that 60–70% of these thefts involved keyless models. However, the data does not specify how many were stolen specifically using these electronic devices.
The devices vary in appearance and sophistication, ranging from disguised Bluetooth speaker–like gadgets to military-grade tools designed to block vehicle trackers. According to Thatcham Research, there is no legitimate use for these devices, and their proliferation marks a concerning shift towards organised, cross-border car theft.
In response, a new Crime and Policing Bill aims to criminalise the possession or sharing of electronic devices used to steal cars, proposing penalties of up to five years in prison to combat this rising threat.
