Over 119,000 Cars Stolen in UK Last Year, Modern Keyless Technology Blamed
More than 119,000 cars were stolen across the United Kingdom last year, foreign media reported, revealing an alarming rise in vehicle thefts driven by modern keyless technology. The figure translates to an average of nearly 320 cars stolen per day in 2024.
According to the report, a major cause behind the surge is the increasing use of keyless entry and ignition systems. Thieves are now exploiting electronic devices that can capture and replicate the signal from a car’s key fob, allowing them to steal a vehicle within minutes without needing the physical key.
In response to the rising trend, the UK has introduced stricter laws penalizing the possession or sharing of such illegal electronic devices. Under the new legislation, offenders could face up to five years in prison.
