Keyless car thefts on the rise in Galway
Motor thefts across Galway city and county increased by nine per cent over the past year, according to CSO statistics.
Officially reported cases went from 89 to 95 in the twelve months to the end of December.
That went against the nationally trend, which showed an annual decrease of eight per cent, from 7,895 to 7,260 – but that was significantly ahead of the pre-pandemic figure of 4,746 recorded in 2019.
Elsewhere in the country, there has been a notable rise in the number of keyless car thefts – with warnings issued by Gardaí in Limerick and Clare in recent weeks.
Keyless car thefts, also known as ‘relay theft’, involves criminals using technology to replicate the electronic signal of a vehicle’s remote locking and keyless ignition systems to simply gain the ability to unlock and, in the case of keyless ignition, start a vehicle.
This tricks the car into believing the key is present, with thieves able to drive off within minutes.
Another technique involves using signal jammers, where motorists attempting to lock their car with a click of their fob have their attempt foiled by criminals using equipment to block the wireless technology.
People are generally unaware that with the click of a few buttons, criminals can steal your car in minutes without so much as leaving a dent
Limerick and Clare Gardaí are now both highlighting the increasing risk posed by this form of car theft in recent weeks – and OUTsurance, Ireland’s newest car insurance provider, advising motorists to be vigilant and take simple precautions such as purchasing a Faraday pouch to store their keys.
Faraday pouches, which are cheaply available on sites like Amazon, are small bags made of metallic substances that block the devices within the pouch from being interfered with through relay attacks.
Alternative low-tech solutions include keeping keys in the fridge or a metal container such as a biscuit tin. Motorists are also advised to observe their vehicle to ensure that it has been locked correctly before walking away.
“People are generally unaware that with the click of a few buttons, criminals can steal your car in minutes without so much as leaving a dent,” said Chief Marketing Officer at OUTsurance Ireland Ian Kennedy.
“The days of smashing a window or using a wire hanger to unlock a car are things of the past.
"As vehicles become more advanced, unfortunately, so have the methods used by thieves,” he added.