£15 gadget allows car thieves to steal vehicles in seconds

The electronic devices costing as little as £15 allow thieves to unlock doors, deactivate alarm systems and start ignitions.

Experts have warned the worrying step has turned car parks and residential streets into the motoring equivalent of a sweetie pick ‘n’ mix counter.

Justin Powell, of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI), said: “There is no legislation to deal with the sale of these kits, and it’s something law enforcement internationally struggle with.

“The most recent problem relates to vehicles using keyless entry systems, which are becoming increasingly popular.”

Many modern cars now come with a plastic fob containing a computer chip and security code rather than a traditional key. The code is detected by the car’s central computer, allowing the owner to open its doors and start the engine at the press of a button.

In some cases motorists don’t even have to take the fob out of their pocket as the car detects it when the owner approaches.

So-called “signal relay attack” devices – which can be bought on popular internet auction sites – are placed within a few metres of the fob.

The technology essentially amplifies its signal, disabling the car’s security systems and leaving it easy prey for thieves.

In one shocking example two crooks working together managed to steal a car after one placed the gadget next to the coat pocket of an unsuspecting shopper in the aisle of a supermarket.

At the same time his accomplice was outside in the car park brazenly opening, starting and driving away his vehicle.

Mr Powell explained: “These gadgets extend the signal the fobs send out and this fools the car into disabling the alarm system and opening the door locks.

“If you are out for a coffee and have the fob on the table, or you’ve left it at your front door, the car can be taken in a matter of seconds.”

IAATI members, who are made up from police, car manufacturers, insurance firms, government officials and private investigators, are become increasingly concerned about the rise of gadgets that exploit the technology of keyless cars.

We carried out a quick trawl of online sites such as Amazon and eBay which turned up dozens of these devices ranging in price from £15 to £200.

Mr Powell added: “With the demise of many stolen vehicle squads across the country over the last few years due to cuts, police knowledge of vehicle theft and vehicle ‘enabled’ crimes has been seriously hindered.

“The kits aren’t just one-off use either, once purchased it can be used multiple times.”

According to the latest figures car crime in the UK has risen by 8.8% in 12 months.

Many cars are targeted by organised criminal gangs and shipped out of the country within hours of being stolen.

Earlier this year more than £1 million of stolen vehicles were discovered in Uganda and repatriated to the UK.

Neil Greig, of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, called for more information about vehicle security to be made available to consumers.

According to some car experts one solution for the owners of keyless cars is to add an extra immobiliser, which will prevent thieves from starting it.

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