Car theft rising globally, UK rolls out a solution: Ban signal jammers

Concerned over a surge in car thefts, England and Wales are set to ban sophisticated electronic devices such as signal jammers commonly used by criminals to steal vehicles.

The move came after reports of at least 700,000 vehicles being broken last year using high-tech tools such as signal jammers playing a role in approximately 40% of thefts nationwide.

Earlier, law enforcement could only prosecute if they proved a device was used in a specific crime. However, under the new Crime and Policing Bill, possessing, making or selling signal jammers could result in up to five years in prison or an unlimited fine.

According to a report by the BBC, signal jammers, along with keyless repeaters and signal amplifiers, disrupt the signal from remote key fobs, allowing criminals to unlock cars parked outside homes. These tools have become the most common method for stealing vehicles or items inside them.

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Keyless repeaters and signal amplifiers which manipulate signals from remote key fobs inside homes, are the primary methods used to unlock and steal vehicles. Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson highlighted the severe impact of car theft on victims, who rely on their vehicles for daily life.

According to the 2022-23 Crime Survey for England and Wales, signal manipulation was involved in 40% of vehicle thefts, rising to around 60% in London. Organised crime groups are a significant driver of vehicle theft, continuously seeking ways to bypass security measures.

Motoring organisations are urging car manufacturers to enhance security features. AA President Edmund King called the proposed crackdown a “positive step,” emphasising that stricter penalties could deter criminals and give police more tools to combat car theft.

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AA President Edmund King welcomed the new measures, calling them a “positive step” that could deter would-be thieves. “Relay theft and signal jamming is all too frequent, and these measures will give police forces more opportunities to tackle car crime,” he said.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) also supported the ban. Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Simms, the lead for vehicle crime, stated that signal jammers have been an “easily accessible tool for criminals for far too long.” She added, “These devices have no legitimate purpose, apart from assisting in criminal activity, and reducing their availability will support policing and industry in preventing vehicle theft, which is damaging to both individuals and businesses.”

The Crime and Policing Bill, which includes new measures to deal with such cases, will be introduced to Parliament on Tuesday.

Global trends in motor vehicle theft

According to the Council of Criminal Justice, car theft rates have been rising globally after a period of decline. In the United States, for instance, motor vehicle theft rates had fallen significantly since their peak in 1991 but have been increasing over the past four years. Larger cities experience double the theft rates of smaller towns, with most thefts occurring at or near the victim’s home since 2004.

While juvenile arrest rates for car theft have dropped dramatically since the 1990s, clearance rates for such crimes have also declined, falling by two-thirds since the 1960s and remaining lower than rates for other major offenses.

The UK’s move to ban signal jammers marks a major step in combating the growing problem of car theft, offering hope for improved vehicle security and reduced crime rates.