Call for vigilance following spate of keyless car thefts in Widnes

Officers are urging owners of cars with keyless entry systems in Widnes to be vigilant following a spate of car thefts in the area.

Criminals are taking advantage of vulnerabilities in these systems which enable them to drive cars away without first having to break into homes to steal keys.

Over the past weekend police have received reports of eight keyless car thefts in the area, with high performance Ford cars particularly being targeted.

An investigation into the thefts has been launched, and while enquiries are ongoing officers are urging residents to take action to reduce their chances of becoming victims.

Inspector Tom Hall, of Widnes Local Policing Unit, said:

“Keyless entry systems on cars offer convenience to drivers but they can, in some situations, be exploited by car thieves.

“There has been a worrying recent rise in keyless car thefts in Widnes, with criminals cloning keys that are inside homes by sending signals to them from outside overnight.

“We are doing all we can to tackle the issue, but we need residents’ help to drive down this type of crime.

“By assessing your current security measures and taking a few simple steps you can significantly reduce the chances of your car being stolen.

“Think about how you store your keys at home. Keeping your keyless entry fob out of sight is not enough as thieves only need to get near to the key to be able to clone it.

“I urge drivers to keep both sets of keys in a Faraday bag. They block the signal from the fob and are widely available.

“Additional security devices such as mechanical steering locks and trackers are also effective in protecting vehicles from thieves.”

Other tips for owners of cars with keyless entry systems include:

• Contact your dealer for information and guidance regarding the digital features in your car. Have there been any software updates you can take advantage of?
• Check if your keyless entry fob can be turned off. If it can, and your dealer can confirm this, then do so overnight.
• Keep an eye out for suspicious activity in your neighbourhood and report anything unusual to the police.

Anyone with information about vehicle crime is urged to call Cheshire Police on 101, give the details via https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.