According to ALA Insurance, 290,000 vehicles were stolen with signal jammers (Image: Getty)
A motoring expert has urged all drivers to do three things to as a new study found that 40 percent of c. As the Government finally announces a crackdown on signal-jammers, a new study by the GAP and breakdown cover provider has found that 290,000 vehicles in England and Wales were due to the controversial devices in the 12 months ending September 2024.
Whilst the devices are widespread, Dawn Cranmer from ALA Insurance highlighted that there are various ways motorists can make it in their car. She explained: “Understandably, people are worried about the rise in remote . However, there are simple steps that can be taken to protect your car from thieves. To protect your vehicle from signal jamming and relay attacks, consider the following preventative measures.”
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Turning off keyless entry can make it harder for criminals to intercept the fob’s signal (Image: Getty)
According to ALA Insurance, one of the easiest ways to make a car more difficult to steal is by turning off the keyless entry system that can be found on most modern cars.
Typically done via the vehicle’s infotainment touchscreen, turning off this feature can make it much harder for criminals to intercept the signals between the car and the key fob – often rendering a signal jammer useless.
Drivers who still want to enjoy the convenience of a keyless security system could also put their keys in a Faraday pouch when they are not in use, with the metal-lined pocket also blocking the signal.
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Traditional security features can make it much more time consuming to steal a car (Image: Getty)
Another way drivers can keep their vehicle safe is by buying a number of security devices, such as wheel clamps and steering locks.
Despite being seen as rather unsophisticated ways of keeping a car safe, having been around since the 1950s and 60s, and being available for particularly low prices, these devices are one of the strongest thief deterrents.
This is largely because they are designed to take a considerable amount of time and effort to remove without the right key – vastly increasing the likelihood of thieves getting caught.
Finally, ALA Insurance suggested that drivers get their car fitted with a GPS tracking device, which typically cost between £20 and £200, depending on their design and capabilities.
Whilst these devices do not make it more difficult for thieves to steal a car, having a tracker hidden in the depths of the dashboard can make it significantly easier for victims to find their vehicle.
During 2024 alone, police forces were able to discover 60 ‘chop shop’ garages, used by criminals to dismantle stolen vehicles, due to cars fitted with GPS trackers – with 179 models reunited with their rightful owners.