NEW KEYLESS CAR THEFT LAW 'WON'T STOP THE CRIMINALS'

Key hackers can now be jailed – but experts say issues go much deeper

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A new law intended to counter the UK's rise in keyless car thefts won't solve the problem, a leading figure in vehicle security has said.

Last year, more than 61,343 vehicles were reported stolen, the thirdhighest figure in the past decade and double the 2015 total. And around 40% of those were stolen without their keys, by methods including relay attack, which tricks a car into believing the owner's key is present.

In 2023, Autocar reported that one website was selling devices costing from £2500 to £30,000 - capable of taking control of cars including Range Rovers, Ferraris and Lamborghinis via their on-board 'can bus' system (which enables the micro-controllers and processors to communicate with each other).

Previously, prosecution for handling these and other devices used to steal vehicles was only possible if it could be proved by the police that they had been used to commit a specific crime. Under the new law, anyone who is found in possession of such a device or found to have imported, made, adapted or distributed one could receive a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment and an unlimited fine. The owner of the device must prove that they were using it for a legitimate purpose to avoid being prosecuted.