Page 7 - VCT August 2021

More recently, an increase in the popularity of
so-called keyless relay attack, first seen in
about 2010, has been reported.

Figure 7. Inside a ‘chop shop,’ where stolen vehicles are sent
by OCGs to be dismantled. This picture is from the Liverpool
Echo local newspaper. The chop shop was in Bootle,
Merseyside, near Liverpool.
(https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/chop-
shop-busted-after-11-16314184)
Figure 5. Keyless relay attack tool image from The Daily
Mail, a UK newspaper.
(https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6416075/Your- Theft from vehicles…
keyless-car-gone-23-seconds-amid-new-high-tech-
crimewave.html) Thefts from vehicles continue to be a blight.

Vehicles are frequently stolen to order, either A trend spotted a few years ago is for thieves
for sale in other countries as payment for to peel the sides of a van open to gain access
contraband goods or broken for parts and to tools and valuable equipment inside. This
sold on global internet auction sites. is easier than defeating original equipment
locking systems – and aftermarket systems
sometimes fitted for added security.

This type of crime frequently deprives self-
employed people running small businesses of
their livelihoods because such people often
depend on tools or specialised equipment.
Victims are often subjected to repeated thefts
because the criminals know that their
insurance pays out and the tools get
replaced.
Figure 6. Aftermarket vehicle security need not be
expensive. Physical measures like steering wheel locks can
deter thieves. (https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/99118/car-
security-how-the-industry-is-staying-one-step-ahead-of-the-
criminals-pictures)
Component parts often find their way into the
repair network to enable cheap insurance
repairs.
In some cases, cloned or rung vehicles go
onto the road. These are often ‘repaired’
(lashed together) written-off vehicles that
have been legally blocked from being
repaired and used on the road for safety
reasons. Figure 8. Thieves peeling away the sides of a van, which is
easier than defeating modern locking systems. Image:
Hertfordshire Constabulary.
(https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/uk-world-
news/moment-thugs-rip-door-van-3651644)