Derbyshire Neighbourhood Watch
Derbyshire Neighbourhood Watch
Unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple.
Modern cars are packed with clever technology designed to make our lives easier. Keyless entry means no more rummaging through handbags or pockets for the car keys. But that convenience can also create an opportunity for criminals.
Some thieves use electronic devices to steal cars without ever physically getting hold of the keys. Others target homes specifically to steal car keys before taking the vehicle from the driveway.
The good news? There are some surprisingly straightforward things you can do to make your vehicle harder to steal.
Here’s what every driver should know about keyless car theft, relay attacks and the simple security habits worth introducing today.
Keyless car theft, often called relay theft, is a method criminals can use to steal certain vehicles fitted with keyless entry and start systems.
Instead of breaking a window or stealing the key, criminals use specialist electronic equipment to make the car believe its legitimate key is nearby.
Here’s a simple explanation:
A criminal uses an electronic device to communicate with a compatible key fob, potentially while the key is inside the owner’s home.
The device relays communication between the key and another device positioned near the vehicle.
The car may mistakenly recognise the key as being nearby, allowing its doors to unlock and the engine to start.
The entire process can happen quickly, sometimes without obvious signs of a forced entry.
It’s important to remember that relay theft is only one method of modern vehicle theft. Criminals can also use other electronic attacks or physically steal keys.
Not every vehicle uses the same technology, and not every keyless system has the same vulnerabilities.
An easy starting point is to ask yourself:
If the answer is yes, you probably have a passive keyless entry system.
Traditional remote keys that require you to press a button to unlock the vehicle don’t operate in quite the same way. However, that doesn’t mean those vehicles are immune to other forms of theft.
Some newer vehicles offer additional protection, including motion-sensitive key fobs and ultra-wideband technology designed to resist relay attacks.
If you’re unsure what security features your vehicle has, check your owner’s manual or ask the manufacturer.
You don’t need to become a vehicle security expert to take sensible precautions.
Start with these practical tips.
One of the easiest ways to help protect a vulnerable keyless vehicle is to use a signal-blocking pouch.
Also known as a Faraday bag, this specially lined pouch is designed to block communication between your car key and the outside world.
When a compatible fob is properly enclosed in a functioning pouch, criminals using relay equipment should not be able to communicate with it.
Remember:
Quick tip: How to test your Faraday pouch
Place your key inside the pouch, close it securely and stand beside your car. Try opening the door using your normal passive keyless entry method.
If the car unlocks, the pouch may not be blocking the signal effectively.
Derbyshire Constabulary recommends checking signal-blocking pouches every few months.
We all do it. Walk through the door, drop the keys on the hallway table and get on with our evening.
But keeping car keys close to doors, windows or the vehicle itself can make them easier to target.
Make one small change tonight: move your keys to a secure location further inside your home.
And don’t forget the spare set. There’s little benefit in protecting one key while leaving the other vulnerable.
It’s also worth remembering that thieves sometimes use tools to reach keys through letterboxes or target properties to physically steal them.
A Faraday pouch cannot prevent somebody from taking the keys themselves.
Not all car keys work in the same way.
Some modern key fobs contain motion sensors that put the fob into a sleep mode after it has been left stationary for a period of time.
Other vehicles use ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, which helps the car establish how far away the key actually is.
Both technologies can provide additional protection against certain relay attacks.
Some manufacturers also allow drivers to disable keyless entry or switch off a fob’s wireless function when it’s not needed.
What to do: check your vehicle manual or ask your dealership whether your car has these features and how to use them.
Thatcham Research highlighted these technologies in its April 2026 vehicle security advice.
Remember those chunky steering wheel locks that seemed to be everywhere years ago?
They’re worth another look.
While electronic criminals may be able to bypass certain digital security systems, a good-quality mechanical lock adds another obstacle.
A steering wheel lock is highly visible, takes additional effort to remove and can make your car a less attractive target.
Look for independently tested products rather than choosing purely on price.
Sold Secure provides details of independently tested steering wheel locks, including products rated Gold and Diamond.
Our tip: make the steering wheel lock part of your evening routine, just like locking your front door.
Where you leave your car can make a difference.
If you have a secure garage, use it where possible.
If your vehicle is parked on a driveway, consider whether additional security would be helpful, such as:
If you park on the street, choose a well-lit location whenever possible.
Remember, no single security measure guarantees protection. Using several measures together can make theft more difficult.
You press the button. You walk away. Job done.
But did the doors actually lock?
Some criminals use electronic equipment to interfere with remote locking signals, potentially leaving a vehicle unlocked without the owner realising.
Before walking away, look for your vehicle’s usual locking confirmation and, where appropriate, check a door handle.
Never assume that pressing the button means the vehicle has secured itself.
It takes just a moment to check.
Most modern cars already have an immobiliser, but depending on the vehicle, an approved aftermarket system may provide another layer of protection.
An immobiliser is designed to stop a vehicle being started unless the correct authorisation is provided.
Some additional systems require a separate code or another form of driver authentication.
Speak to your vehicle manufacturer, dealership or a qualified installer about systems suitable for your car.
Before installation, check compatibility, warranty implications and any requirements from your insurer.
Bought a second-hand vehicle?
It’s worth checking how many keys are registered to it.
If a previous key is missing or you cannot account for all the sets, ask the dealership or a qualified automotive locksmith whether the missing keys can be removed from the vehicle’s authorised key list.
The same applies if you’ve lost a key or suspect it has been stolen.
Depending on the vehicle, additional steps may also be needed to remove access through connected-car apps or digital keys.
Don’t assume a missing key can no longer operate your car.
A tracker won’t necessarily stop somebody stealing your car, but it may help police locate and recover it.
Some tracking systems can alert owners if their vehicle moves unexpectedly.
If you’re considering one, look for a system compatible with your vehicle, check whether it is independently certified and find out whether your insurer has particular requirements.
And remember, if your vehicle is stolen and you can see its location, contact the police rather than attempting to recover it yourself.
Vehicle security doesn’t begin and end on the driveway.
Criminals may enter homes specifically to steal car keys.
This was highlighted locally in August 2026, when Derbyshire Constabulary reported a burglary in Hasland. Burglars stole the keys to a BMW X5, but responding police officers prevented the vehicle from being taken.
Following the incident, police reminded residents to keep keys hidden, consider suitable anti-snap door locks and improve security around their homes.
Simple precautions include checking that external doors and windows are secure, keeping keys away from letterboxes and considering suitable outdoor lighting.
The message is clear: protect your keys and your home, not just your vehicle.
Before you settle down for the evening, ask yourself:
A quick check tonight could help avoid a much bigger problem tomorrow.
Keyless car theft: Frequently asked questions
Yes. With a vulnerable keyless system, criminals using relay equipment may be able to communicate with a key fob inside the property.
Keeping keys away from exterior doors and windows, using a functioning Faraday pouch and adding physical vehicle security can help reduce the risk.
A properly functioning signal-blocking pouch can prevent the key fob communicating with relay equipment.
However, not all pouches provide the same protection, and their effectiveness can deteriorate.
Test yours regularly and remember that a Faraday pouch only protects against particular methods of electronic theft.
No. Vehicle security varies between makes, models and model years.
Some newer keyless systems include protections such as motion-sensing fobs or ultra-wideband technology.
Ask your manufacturer what protections are fitted to your particular car.
Yes. Relay attacks are not the only method criminals use.
Physical key theft, other electronic attacks and vehicle towing are among the additional risks.
This is why a combination of secure key storage, physical deterrents and sensible parking precautions is recommended.
Report the theft to the police as soon as possible and notify your insurer.
If a crime is happening now or somebody is in immediate danger, call 999.
For a non-emergency, call 101 or report the incident through Derbyshire Constabulary.
Do not confront suspected thieves or attempt to recover a stolen vehicle yourself.
At Derbyshire Neighbourhood Watch, we believe that sharing practical advice and looking out for one another can help make our communities safer.
Whether you drive a small family car, a work van or a high-value vehicle, taking a few extra precautions is worthwhile.
And you don’t have to do everything at once.
Start with three things today: move your keys, check your vehicle is locked and consider an extra physical security measure.
Then share this article with somebody who drives a keyless car. They may never have thought about how their keys are stored.
Protect your keys. Protect your vehicle. Look out for your community.
Find out more about Derbyshire Neighbourhood Watch and how you can help make your neighbourhood safer.
Further advice and trusted sources
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Originally shared with Derbyshire Neighbourhood Watch by Buxton Safer Neighbourhood Team. Substantially updated and reviewed by Derbyshire Neighbourhood Watch, 2 November 2026, using UK police and vehicle security guidance.
