Relay theft: Mum's warning over criminals targeting keyless cars
A mother has spoken about the "creepy" moment a thief was able to steal her keyless car.
Sarah Baxter, from Henley, was feeding her baby in the early hours when her Mercedes was stolen earlier this month.
Keyless car systems require a fob for the car to sense and open, rather than a key to unlock it physically.
The man who stole Mrs Baxter's car used a technique called relay theft, where a metal hoop is used to detect and amplify a fob's signal.
This technique means thieves do not need to steal a key or break into a property, instead they can use a cable loop near doors and windows of a house to find a fob's signal.
It comes after the AA said figures for car thefts were "in danger of getting out of control".
The motoring organisation is urging police to take action after Home Office figures revealed 130,389 cars were reported stolen in 2022 - an increase of 26% compared to the 104,435 reported in 2021.
Mrs Baxter discovered thieves had used the relay attack technique after her doorbell CCTV captured a man approaching her home.
What is relay theft?
The AA said figures for high-value vehicles being stolen is on the rise,, external as criminal gangs are using sophisticated electronic devices to override the car's security.
Explaining relay thefts, the motoring organisation said: "It only takes two thieves and a bit of tech to fool your car into thinking you're still standing next to it with the key in your pocket.
"One, close to the car, captures the low-power signal from your car and relays it to a device carried by another, close to you. The signal from the key to unlock the car and start the engine is relayed back."
All credit to: www.dailymail.co.uk
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-65696161
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