It seems as though every time a useful new innovation appears for vehicles, thieves and low lifes find a way to exploit it. Keyless entry is a classic example. While it is a useful tool for drivers, it is now used by crooks to steal nine out of every 10 vehicles that go missing.
Now vehicle security specialist Tracker says new laws to clamp down on keyless thefts must be fast-tracked and enforced to end soaring levels of crime
Following a BBC report highlighting the growing trend of keyless vehicle theft, Tracker has released new data showing the company recovered over £35m worth of vehicles between January and October 2025, hitting a 15-year high.
More than nine in 10 (93%) of the vehicles recovered by the company were taken without the keys, underlining the scale of keyless car theft across the UK.
The Home Office is introducing new legislation to clamp down on this, but a date for the legislation is yet to be announced.
Mark Rose, managing director of Tracker, said: “As the BBC report confirmed, devices used to conduct relay attacks and steal keyless vehicles are readily available online and although the price is high, organised crime groups know the profit potential makes the upfront cost worthwhile.
“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 the new laws proposed, anyone who is found in possession of one, or to have imported, made, adapted or distributed them, will bear the consequences and rightly so. Without meaningful action in the shape of robust legislation, such thefts will continue to rise unchecked, with more drivers becoming victims of these crimes and suffering the emotional and financial impact of that. The time for that action is now.”
