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Vehicle Security

Alert message sent 11/11/2020 10:55:00

Information sent on behalf of Neighbourhood Watch Scotland

Dear All,

Police Scotland have been made aware of thefts from motor vehicles in the Juniper Green area. Please see below advice on how to try to prevent these:

Do not leave any valuable items in the vehicle- if left on show they will encourage thieves to break in. Please note areas such as glove boxes and under seats are not secure and not suitable for the storage of valuables.
Consider using a steering locks a visible deterrent to thieves – someone who is so obviously conscious of security is less likely to leave valuable in a vehicle.
Avoid parking in dark, secluded areas, choose locations that are well lit and over looked by houses, passers-by and covered by CCTV if possible.

Despite modern locking systems on vehicles some criminals do manage to overcome them by using devices bought legally and relatively cheaply on the internet. All of which work by affecting the radio frequency imitated by the key fob / device, enabling vehicles to be stolen despite owners having possession of the key(s).

Key and Fob

The majority of vehicles are accessed by a combination of traditional key and fob remote. The fob tending to be used more frequently than the key, due to the convenience of simply pushing a button. However, criminals can block the radio signal between the fob and vehicle, using a signal blocker. You press your fob and walk away as normal thinking the vehicle is locked. But it isn’t!

Preventative measures:

Physically checking the vehicle is locked and checking ALL the doors
Using the traditional key to lock up
Make sure the key and any spares are stored securely and safely

Keyless Vehicles

Keyless vehicles automatically lock / unlock depending on the proximity of a key device, which is usually no bigger than a bank card. The system operates via radio signals passed between vehicle and key device. These signals can be intercepted by criminals.
Keys constantly emit a signal, (at times even detectable from within a building), which can be picked up by anyone with an appropriate transmitter relay device. The signal is relayed back to the vehicle, which unlocks and allows the start button to work and once away from the scene of the crime, a new key can be programmed via the On Board Diagnostic port.

Preventative measures:

Keep your key device in a Faraday pouch, which has a lining that prevents the items inside from receiving or transmitting radio frequency signals.
Check vehicle doors are locked before walking away
Do not store keys near windows or doors
If you buy a second hand keyless car, get the key reprogrammed
Make sure the key and any spares are stored securely and safely

Kind Regards,
PC Kaiser-Ferris
Prevention, Interventions and Partnership Department
Edinburgh Division

Message sent by

Sonja Kaiser-Ferris (Police, Constable, Edinburgh)

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