Thief using Relay-Attack device to steal the car
Car theft in the UK remains a growing epidemic.
In 2024, 61,343 vehicles were reported stolen in the UK – the third highest figure in a decade. Alarmingly, around 40% of these thefts were executed without keys, often using the infamous relay attack method.
Many of these stolen cars end up in “chop shops”, where they are dismantled for parts. Even when law enforcement manages to locate the vehicles and arrest suspects, they are usually just the low-level operators – the real masterminds often coordinate the operations from abroad.
Stolen Cars: New Law Targets Car Theft Devices
Under new legislation, buying, owning, manufacturing, or distributing tools used for vehicle theft – such as CAN-bus grabbers or devices known as “Game Boys” – can now lead to up to five years in prison and unlimited fines.
Clive Wain from Tracker (a stolen vehicle recovery company) called this law “a step in the right direction,” but warned it’s far from a complete solution. He emphasized the need for more effective investigations, noting that the justice system still treats vehicle theft as a “low-priority crime,” which weakens enforcement.
Police intervention at one of many UK’s “chop shop”
Jurisdictional Issues and Delays
A major issue remains the lack of coordinated police action across regions. A recent case involving a stolen Mercedes CLA showcased the problem – the car moved between Essex and London jurisdictions, which led to delays and missed opportunities for forensic analysis.
Neil Thomas from Inn Track, another vehicle tracking firm, stressed that poor inter-agency communication continues to delay recoveries and investigations, giving criminals time to cover their tracks.
The UK’s new law rightly targets the sale and possession of car theft tools, but as experts agree, without stronger policing and better cooperation, it’s only part of the solution.
We congratulate the UK for recognizing this serious issue – and we stand ready to assist with preventive strategies and cutting-edge protection solutions.
#StopCarThefts #RelayAttack #StolenCars #CarSecurityUK
