Keyless entry is handy, but thieves can exploit it. Here is how relay theft works in plain English, and the simple things UK police recommend you do about it.
Key takeaways
- If you press a button on your key to unlock, you don't have keyless entry.
- Keep keys away from doors and windows, in a signal-blocking pouch you test regularly.
- A steering wheel lock can stop a car being driven away, and thieves can see it.
- A tracker won't stop a relay attack, but it can tell you quickly when the car moves.
Do you have keyless entry?
Cars with keyless entry unlock automatically when the key comes within a short distance, even if it is in your pocket or bag. Police.uk puts it simply: if you have to push a button on your key to open your car, you don't have keyless entry (police.uk).
How relay theft works
Your keyless fob is always quietly talking to your car over a short range. In a relay theft, criminals use a device to fool the car into thinking the key is close by. That unlocks the car and lets it start.
The Metropolitan Police describes the usual method: one person stands near your home with a device that picks up and boosts the fob's signal, while another stands by the car so it believes the key is nearby (Met Police advice).
There is no broken glass and often very little noise.
Other tricks to know about
- Signal jamming. Devices can block your fob's lock signal, so the car stays open when you think you have locked it. Always check the door handle before you walk away.
- Key fishing. The Met warns that keys are sometimes hooked through letterboxes, so don't leave them by the front door (Met Police).
- Cloning. If you are selling your car, don't let your keys out of your sight with a buyer.
Step 1: Keep keys away from doors and windows
Store your key and your spare well away from doors, windows and outside walls. The further away the fob is, the harder it is for a thief to pick up its signal.
Step 2: Use a signal-blocking pouch, and test it
A signal-blocking pouch, often called a Faraday pouch, has a metal lining that stops the fob's signal getting out.
Step 3: Switch the fob off when you are not using it
Many fobs can be switched off or put to sleep. Check your handbook or ask your dealer. Some newer fobs have a motion sensor that sends them to sleep when they have been still for a while.
Step 4: Add physical security
A steering wheel lock won't stop a thief opening the car, but it can stop them driving it away, and it is a visible deterrent. Police.uk points to locks, pedal boxes and gear stick locks tested by Sold Secure, and suggests asking your dealer about a manufacturer-approved aftermarket immobiliser.
Step 5: Park smart
Use a garage if you have one. If not, park close to home or somewhere well lit and busy (PSNI advice).
Step 6: Reprogramme keys on a used car
If you have bought a second-hand car, police advice is to have the keys reprogrammed, so no unknown spare can open it.
Where a tracker fits in
A tracker won't stop a relay attack. What it can do is tell you quickly that your car is moving when it shouldn't be, and show you and the police where it is. Think of it as one more layer alongside a pouch and a steering lock.
If the worst happens, our first-hour checklist for a stolen car walks you through what to do.
Frequently asked questions
Do Faraday pouches really work?
A good signal-blocking pouch stops your fob's signal reaching the car, which is why police recommend them. They can wear out, so test yours by putting the key inside and checking the car won't unlock, and repeat that every few months.
Does a steering wheel lock stop keyless theft?
It won't stop the car being unlocked, but it can stop it being driven away, and thieves can see it from outside. Police recommend it as part of layered security.
Is my car safe if I have to press a button to unlock it?
If you press a button to unlock, your car doesn't have keyless entry, so relay theft isn't a risk. Other methods still exist, so physical security and good parking still matter.
Will a tracker stop my car being stolen?
No. A tracker helps after the car moves: it can alert you and show you and the police where it is. Use it alongside the steps above, not instead of them.
Drift
Know where your car is
Drift is a small plug-in tracker and web app that shows your car on a live map and alerts you if it moves when it shouldn't. It can't promise to get a car back, but it helps you and the police know where it is.
See how Drift works