Police give tips to keyless car owners after thefts

The police advice comes after thefts across two counties

Police have offered crime prevention advice to keyless vehicle owners after detectives investigating a series of thefts of high-powered cars made arrests.

Cambridgeshire Police said, in a statement, that keyless cars had been stolen in areas of Cambridgeshire and Skegness, Lincolnshire, earlier this year.

They said arrests had been made in Peterborough this week.

Police said a car could be unlocked by a device used to "fool" it into thinking that the key was nearby.

"Cars with keyless entry unlock automatically when the key comes within a short distance of the car," said police in online advice.

"This can be from inside a pocket or bag.

"Keyless car theft, or 'relay theft', is when a device is used to fool the car into thinking the key is close by.

"This unlocks the car and starts the ignition.

"Thieves only need to be within a few metres of your car key to capture the signal, even if it’s inside your home.

"This means that even if your car and home are secure, thieves can still unlock, start and steal your car."

'Tips'

They offered four tips to keyless car owners:

• When at home keep the car key (and the spare) well away from the car

• Put the keys in a screened or signal-blocking pouch - and check if the bag or pouch is still working every few months

• Re-programme your keys if a second-hand car is bought

• Turn off wireless signals on the fob when it is not being used

Police said three men had been arrested and charged with "conspiracy to steal" 22 vehicles from Peterborough, Huntingdonshire and Skegness between April and September.