Electronic devices used to steal cars will be banned

Electronic devices used for getting into cars and nicking them are getting banned under new legislation being introduced to Parliament tomorrow.

Offenders apprehended in England and Wales and found with digital equipment, such as keyless repeaters, signal jammers and signal amplifiers, could face down a maximum penalty of five years behind bars, and pay a hefty, unlimited fine.

This kind of kit is used to scramble signals from remote-locking cars, negating the need for a key and making vehicles easy to access, start and steal. Previously, police could only prosecute someone holding such items provided officers could prove the devices had been part of a specific crime. 

Now, the tables have turned, so the accused needs to prove they had legit reasons for having the stuff.  The legislation has been written to include equipment that's been imported, bought, modified, or distributed, broadening police powers to combat car theft.

According to the 2022-2023 Crime Survey for England and Wales, such devices were used in some 40 per cent of vehicle thefts. In London, that number is estimated to be as high as 60 per cent.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: "With government statistics showing an average of 370 vehicles being stolen every day, outlawing the possession and distribution of signal jammers cannot come soon enough and we welcome the government’s action on this.

"Having your car stolen is not only a violation, it causes massive amounts of stress and inconvenience as well as higher insurance costs for the individual concerned and drivers generally."

DVLA figures recently analysed by CMA showed that car thefts are already falling.