KEYLESS cars in the borough are being targeted by thieves.
In June this year there were reports of vehicle theft in Wokingham and Bracknell.
This week, incidents in Wokingham indicate that thieves are again in the town.
According to social media reports confirmed by Thames Valley Police, a locked car on Oxford Road was broken into on Sunday.
Another car was reported stolen from Toutley Road, the same day.
Any car can be vulnerable to theft, making it advisable to keep keys safe, out of view when at home, and away from the front door.
What people may not know is that modern keyless vehicles can opened by thieves, without the need for them to put a key in the lock, or to press the button on a fob.
Criminals can hack into a signal sent by the owner’s car key to their car.
This tells the vehicle to lock – or unlock, with instructions able to reach a car from inside the owner’s pocket or bag.
The signal can also operate a vehicle’s locks from inside the owner’s home.
Thieves are able to hack into this signal to access some cars.
Placing an electronic relay box just outside a victim’s home, they can pick up fob signals passing through the walls or windows.
These are sent to a second device near the car, which can trick it into unlocking.
It’s known as relay theft.
What can car owners do to protect their car from thieves?
The RAC says that key fob blockers, or Faraday pouches can protect modern keys.
Metal-lined, these wallets can prevent signals passing through them.
Drivers can also keep their car software updated to help to protect their vehicle.
And physical steering locks and other theft deterents can also make cars less attractive to thieves.
RAC Insurance director Mark Godfrey says: “Drivers with keyless systems can take precautions to prevent their vehicles being stolen, including storing their keys in protective cases so the signal can’t be cloned, or even switching off the keyless feature on the fob if it is an option.”
Protective pouches are not expensive, costing upwards of around £5, but the RAC warns that they are not all of the same quality.
They recommend buying a slightly more expensive product, and checking to make sure it works.
From inside the pouch, the key, when pressed, should not be able to activate the vehicle.
Drivers are advised to put their keys inside the pouch as soon as they lock their car, and to remember to protect spare keys too.
A cheaper way to keep fobs safe can be to place them in a small metal tin at home.
This, like the pouch, can prevent signals from passing through.
Media officer from Thames Valley Police Jack Duggan said: There is a lot of advice on our website, with information about protecting keyless cars.”
For details, visit: www.thamesvalley.police.ukand search for: preventing car vehicle theft.
For more information, visit: www.rac.co.ukand search under news and advice for: keyless theft.
