Warning after 290,000 drivers have cars stolen due to one device

Police officers and the courts will be given new powers to target criminals who steal vehicles using electronic devices, including ‘signal jammers’ under a Labour Party government crackdown.

290,000 vehicles in England and Wales were stolen due to signal jammers last year, motorists have been warned. Police officers and the courts will be given new powers to target criminals who steal vehicles using electronic devices, including ‘signal jammers’ under a Labour Party government crackdown.

Dawn Cranmer from ALA Insurance explained: "Understandably, people are worried about the rise in remote vehicle thefts. However, there are simple steps that can be taken to protect your car from thieves. To protect your vehicle from signal jamming and relay attacks, consider the following preventative measures."

Road users should turn off the keyless entry system that can be found on most modern cars, she said. Road users can also use a Faraday pouch, she added, or by buying a number of security devices, such as wheel clamps and steering locks.

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ALA Insurance suggested that drivers get their car fitted with a GPS tracking device, too. Previously, prosecution for handling these devices was only possible if it could be proved by police that they had been used to commit a specific crime.

Under these new laws, anyone who is found in possession of one, or to have imported, made, adapted or distributed them, could receive a maximum penalty of 5 years’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine. The burden of proof will instead fall on the owner to prove they were using the device for a legitimate purpose, to avoid being prosecuted.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: "With government statistics showing an average of 370 vehicles being stolen every day, outlawing the possession and distribution of signal jammers cannot come soon enough and we welcome the government’s action on this.

"Having your car stolen is not only a violation, it causes massive amounts of stress and inconvenience as well as higher insurance costs for the individual concerned and drivers generally." AA president, Edmund King, said: "This is a positive step, and these tougher sentences should make would-be thieves think again before stealing cars. As fast as vehicle technology has evolved, thieves have always tried to keep pace and beat the security systems.

"Relay theft and signal jamming is all too frequent and these measures will give police forces more opportunities to tackle car crime."