Keyless Car Theft Spate In Milton Keynes

9 February 2019, 07:15 | Updated: 9 February 2019, 07:19

Thames Valley Police is issuing advice to keyless car owners following a spate of thefts in Milton Keynes.

Following six thefts and three attempted thefts of keyless cars in east Milton Keynes since January 2019, officers are issuing advice on how to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of these crimes.

Police have released CCTV footage of one of these thefts which took place in Dean Forest Way, Broughton at around 3.50am on Tuesday 29 January.

https://youtu.be/E5AUiooagKg

After placing themselves by the front door of a property, in close proximity to the key, offenders often use a device and a laptop to intercept the signal from the remote sensor on the key and gain entry to the vehicle. They can then start the vehicle without the key and drive away.

Investigating officer PC Mat Waters, based at Milton Keynes police station, said:

“By placing car keys in a metal tin and away from the front door, you can make it harder for offenders to intercept the signal from the key. Be aware of where your spare key is located as well and where possible, keep this in a tin too.

As you can see from the CCTV footage, the signal from these keys can be intercepted in as little as one minute.

We are continuing to investigate these offences and if you have any information that can assist then please get in touch using our online form or by calling 101. You will need to quote reference number 43190028144.

Equally, if you see or hear anything suspicious around houses with keyless cars in your area then please let us know by contacting us online or by calling 101 or 999 if you believe a crime is in progress.”