Blitz on key cloning tech to fight car theft

A CRACKDOWN on the theft of vehicles from driveways will see new laws introduced to ban devices which can clone electronic keys.

- Jonathan Walker

Criminals can target cars which activate automatically when a fob is nearby. The cloning devices have been blamed for a massive increase in thefts of high-tech vehicles which in turn has forced insurers to push up premiums.

The thieves use electronic equipment designed for legitimate locksmiths and garages to copy keys inside homes, allowing cars to be driven away.

The Home Office is working on a law "to ban electronic devices used to steal vehicles, empowering the police and courts to target those criminals using, manufacturing and supplying them".