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The number of cars stolen in the UK last year jumped significantly.

According to recent figures from the Office for National Statistics, during 2017 89,000 motors were nicked by thieves, up by 56% from the year before.

That made it the worst year for car thefts since 2012.

So why is it on the rise? A host of motoring experts suggest that keyless entry systems are to blame.

Figures from security experts Tracker found around two-thirds of stolen vehicles were the result of the cars being “electronically compromised”.

How keyless thefts work

(Image: Rex Features)

As the name suggests, keyless thefts are those targeting cars that don’t need a key in the ignition to get started.

While this change in technology has certainly made things convenient for drivers - you can simply get in and start the car up without having to take your key out of your pocket - it’s also provided an opportunity for crooks.

These thefts rely on a trick called a relay attack which is shockingly simple to carry out.

The crooks just need to get their hands on a relay amplifier and a relay transmitter. They then use these to essentially boost the signal from your key, tricking your car into thinking the key fob is next to the vehicle, allowing the thieves to get in and make off with your motor.

These thefts are often carried out from outside your home too, as it’s a pretty safe bet that your keys will be inside the house. The crooks simply lurk around outside, trying to get a hit on the signal from your key.

A recent study by Tracker suggested that the vast majority of motorists with keyless vehicles are at risk of this crime, in part because of where they leave their car keys overnight - sticking them in the hallway for example or on a keyhook downstairs, areas which are relatively accessible for thieves roaming outside the property with an amplifier.

Andy Barrs, head of police liaison at Tracker, said: “We’re seeing more and more of these relay attacks taking place across the country. It’s clear from our survey that many people are unintentionally leaving themselves vulnerable to these kinds of attack, by putting their keys in easy reach of relay devices.”

Steps you can take to beat the thieves

There are a host of steps motorists can take to protect their motor from wily crooks looking to exploit these scams.

When it comes to home security, parking your vehicle in a garage where possible will certainly help - if they can’t access the vehicle, the thieves certainly can’t steal it.

If you don’t have access to a garage, then additional security around the location of your parking spot and your house will help, whether that’s CCTV or a motion sensor light, as it will put them off trying their luck.

Adopting old fashioned physical protection will also help. These could include a steering lock, which might set you back about £30 from Argos or a driveway parking post, which is available for around £60 from Barriers Direct .

Where do you keep your key fob?

(Image: iStock Editorial)

It’s also really important to think about where you keep those key fobs. While the relay devices used by car thieves can receive signals through walls, doors and windows, they can’t handle metal.

So put your fob inside something metallic and you should be OK. This could mean a metal tin or even a microwave, according to Tracker.

Just try to remember to take the fob out before using it.

You can also pick up wallets in which to keep your fob which block the signal and so keep the thieves at bay.

Halfords says that sales of its £10 RFID wallet have rocketed by 400% in the past few weeks.

David Howells, car security expert at the retailer, said: “In-car security systems can only do so much to prevent a car being stolen. It seems that many anti-theft systems can be easily bypassed and using a simple device like an RFID wallet can prevent your fob being hacked.”