Motorists caught with high-tech devices in vehicles could face up to five years in prison under a tough new driving law introduced by Labour this year.
The crackdown forms part of the Government’s Crime and Policing Bill, which creates new criminal offences aimed at tackling the rapid rise in tech-enabled car theft across England and Wales.
Under the proposed law, it will become illegal to possess, import, make, adapt or distribute devices commonly used by criminals to steal vehicles.
Anyone found with such equipment could be jailed for up to five years and handed an unlimited fine for having signal jammers, key programmers and relay attack tools.
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These are used to interfere with modern vehicle security systems, allowing thieves to unlock and steal cars without forcing entry.
Drivers who manufacture, modify or supply these devices will also face prosecution, with courts given the power to impose both unlimited fines and prison sentences.
In a major shift, the legislation places the burden of proof on defendants, with anyone found with the equipment will need to show they had a legitimate reason for possessing it.
Figures from the Crime Survey for England and Wales showed that between 2022 and 2023, offenders manipulated signals from remote locking systems in four out of 10 vehicle thefts.
Every four out of 10 vehicle thefts have involved a signal jammer | PAThe Metropolitan Police estimate that signal jamming equipment is involved in around 60 per cent of stolen car cases in the capital.
Nationwide, an average of 370 vehicles are stolen every day, with 732,000 vehicle-related theft incidents recorded in the year ending September 2024.
Ministers stated that organised crime gangs are behind many of these offences, exploiting weaknesses in even the newest cars to meet demand for stolen vehicles and parts.
Dame Diana Johnson, the Minister for Policing, Crime and Fire Prevention, said: "These thefts have a devastating effect on victims, who need their vehicles to go about their everyday lives.
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The Bill follows reports that 370 vehicles are stolen every day
| GETTY"We are aware of the real concerns people feel with the use of these electronic devices being so prolific."
The minister said the measures were a key part of Labour's law and order agenda, explaining that the Government was "introducing new laws focused on tackling this issue at source".
The proposals sit within the Government's Safer Streets mission and its wider Plan for Change, which aims to stop theft-enabling technology reaching criminals in the first place.
However, the legislation has faced criticism in the House of Lords. Conservative peer Lord Davies of Gower questioned whether the new offence goes far enough to tackle those higher up the supply chain.
Keyless car thefts have grown dramatically in recent years | GETTYHe warned: "The offence risks capturing only the least sophisticated actors, while leaving untouched those who organise, promote and enable the trade from behind the scenes."
Liberal Democrat peer Lord Goddard of Stockport supported the concerns, pointing out that 75 per cent of vehicle thefts in 2024 went unsolved. Only two per cent resulted in charges, with around 95,000 cases still open.
Government whip Lord Katz rejected the criticism, arguing that proposed changes would weaken enforcement by forcing prosecutors to prove criminal intent.
The Bill is expected to pass later this year and is currently being scrutinised in the House of Lords.