What do you need to know about the growing crime of electronic devices – ‘key jammers’ – that prevent cars from locking?

Such devices can be easily obtained through online platforms and are designed to obstruct the signal from the key fob. This leads to the misconception among careless drivers that their vehicle is safe, when it is, in reality, unprotected.

This opens the door for individuals with malicious intent to pilfer your items or possibly your car.

The effective range of a low-powered signal jammers can reach about 75 meters, suggesting that a substantial area, including an entire parking facility, can be disrupted concurrently.

Yet, those who commit crimes while armed with wifi blocker are able to target any location, rather than being confined to public parking facilities.

When I awoke to get ready for my job, I walked outside and observed that all the car doors were firmly closed.

I experienced a profound shock when I understood that I had locked the car, given that I was staying at my boyfriend's place and had left my Christmas gifts inside. When we subsequently looked inside, we were appalled to discover that the car had been thoroughly upended and all valuables had been removed.

The police initially communicated that there was little they could do regarding the incident. They did not send anyone to look for fingerprints, as there were no clear signs of a break-in. However, when I contacted my bank to cancel my card, I found out that the thief had been using my contactless card. This prompted the police to take the matter more seriously and become more involved.

They are in the process of analyzing the CCTV footage with the intention of capturing the perpetrators.

How can you make sure your car is secure?

The only reliable means of determining if a car is locked is through a manual inspection. Most vehicles display other signs of lock engagement, including flashing lights, mirrors that retract, or a short honk from the horn.

If you are situated sufficiently close to the car, you can also hear the distinct sound of the central locking activating.

Deputy Chief Superintendent Jukes remarked that it is crucial for people to be attentive to electronic intrusions of this kind.

Individuals are advised to monitor their vehicles and belongings closely to prevent providing any motivation for criminal acts. This involves manually confirming that the vehicle is locked and ensuring that all valuables are removed prior to leaving.

To bolster the security of your vehicle, one might consider purchasing a car jam detector, a technological device that emits an alarm when it detects a jam.

Will insurance companies cover such thefts?

Ms. Dover brought attention to a critical concern for victims: in addition to losing their belongings, they often cannot substantiate that they forgot to lock their vehicle. Most insurers will deny claims for theft if the car is left unattended and not locked.

The Financial Ombudsman reports that many insurance companies do not provide theft protection for vehicles that are left unlocked and unattended.

The definitive means of proving that a car lock is jammed involves catching the thief, although a recurring pattern of thefts can constitute significant evidence.

Thames Valley Police is examining 14 recent cases of lorry, van, and car thefts, noting that there were “no obvious signs of break-in” in these instances.

Throughout the last two weeks of November, thefts were recorded at various service stations along the M4 motorway in Berkshire.