Crime prevention advice issued following series of keyless car thefts in south Derbyshire

We are issuing some crime prevention advice following a series of keyless car thefts in south Derbyshire.

Officers are investigating four suspected ‘relay theft’ incidents in which Kia vehicles have been targeted over the last several days.  

Thieves have been using electronic devices to intercept and amplify the signal from a car's key fob to trick the vehicle into thinking the owner is nearby, causing the car to open.

Officers are investigating four such incidents which have taken place in Long Eaton, Swadlincote, Spondon and Mickleover this month.  

We are now advising motorists in south Derbyshire to please follow our crime prevention advice whilst our enquiries into the series of thefts continues.

🚙 Use a Faraday case to store your key fob – and also any spares. These pouches block the signal and help prevent thieves using the ‘relay theft’ method.
🚙 Make sure the pouch is designed specifically for keys and test it by inserting your fob into the pouch and attempting to open your vehicle.
🚙 Refer to your user manual to see if your keyless entry fob can be deactivated at night.
🚙 Check that you have a motion-sensor enabled fob, which goes to sleep when idle, such as when stored at home. Many vehicle manufacturers now produce this type of fob.
🚙 Go old-school and fit a steering wheel clamp.

🚙Where possible, park your vehicle in your garage.

We are investigating the following incidents:-

*Black Kia Sportage taken from Kingsmuir Road, Mickleover, between 9pm on Thursday 16 April and 7.45am on Friday 17 April (reference number 26*221142).

*White Kia Sorento stolen from Chiltern Road, Swadlincote, between 10pm on Sunday 26 April and 6.30am on Monday 27 April (reference number 26*240634)

*White Kia Sportage taken from Douglas Road, Long Eaton, between 3.53am and 4.10am on Monday 27 April (reference number 26*240448)

*Grey Kia Sorento stolen from Dale Road, Spondon, at about 1.30am on Wednesday 29 April (26*245682). The vehicle was later recovered by officers. 

Anyone with information about any of the incidents listed above is asked to contact us using one of the methods below and please quote the relevant reference number.

You can also anonymously contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website.