ORGANISED THIEVES are targeting cars with keyless entry systems across Wokingham, police have warned.
During the last few weeks, residents across the borough have been reporting their cars stolen on community social media pages.
And police say thieves are intercepting radio signals within the owner’s home to hack the motor’s system and gain entry.
Also known as relay theft, burglars only need to be a few metres from the car keys to capture the signal. The process can take as little as 20 seconds.
Now, Thames Valley Police is encouraging motorists to do everything they can to protect their vehicle.
This includes keeping the keys further away from the car — deeper within the house — and storing them inside a signal-blocking pouch or case, sometimes called a Faraday.
Drivers are also advised to turn off their key fob’s wireless signal and use a steering wheel lock.
Police are also encouraging people to park in their garage or as close to the house as possible.
Colin Wells, who lives in Woosehill, had his BMW stolen on Tuesday, November 10. His neighbours CCTV footage showed two people involved in the operation.
“Police think it’s an organised group,” he said. “They’re taking the cars and either putting false plates on them and shipping them out of the country, or chopping them up for spares to sell on eBay.”
Mr Wells decided to fit a Ring doorbell and sensor light two days after the theft, but wished he’d done it sooner.
“It’s given us some peace of mind,” he said. “It wouldn’t have stopped them but it might have been a deterrent, a big light switching on like that.”
He said he hadn’t heard of a Faraday box beforehand, but encouraged drivers to be proactive and look into them.
“Even people aware of them were commenting on my post, saying they hadn’t got round to buying one yet — but were going to now,” he said.
Once it arrives, Mr Wells plans on storing his keys towards the back of the house — away from potential thieves.
He also mourned his new golf clubs, stored in the boot of the car.
“I hadn’t got round to sorting the insurance on those,” he said. “The paperwork was on my desk. It’s almost worse than the car being taken.”
His message — take a more proactive approach to protecting belongings.
The same night, another BMW was stolen from Larkspur Close, off Simon’s Lane.
Owner, Jessica Booker, said police found video footage of it being driven towards Twyford.
“It’s made us think a lot more about how we protect our next car,” she explained. “We had it three years and always kept the keys at the back of the house. We’re looking at different options now.”
Ms Booker said she’d heard there were similar thefts happening in Crowthorne a few weeks prior.
“It really needs more awareness,” she said. “It made us think about how we’d always assumed it’s a safe area.”
Three nights later, another car in Woosehill was stolen.
Despite storing the keys in a Faraday pouch and using a steering wheel lock, owners had their Range Rover taken — having only owned it three days.
Thames Valley Police were unable to comment as more information has come to light.
