The most common way theft from a vehicle – or the theft of the vehicle itself – occurs with the use of these electronic devices, with keyless repeaters and signal amplifiers being used to scramble the signal from remote locking devices.
The devices, which allow thieves to get in a vehicle without a key, are used in four in ten vehicle thefts in England and Wales.
“These devices have no legitimate purpose, apart from assisting in criminal activity, and reducing their availability will support policing and industry in preventing vehicle theft which is damaging to both individuals and businesses,” she added.
According to the 2022/23 Crime Survey for England and Wales, an offender manipulated a signal from a remote locking device in 40 per cent of thefts of vehicles.
Labour’s policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said: "These thefts have a devastating effect on victims, who need their vehicles to go about their everyday lives.
