The Labour Party government has introduced a new law targeting keyless car crime. The Crime and Policing Act 2026 makes it a criminal offence to manufacture, import, supply, adapt, or possess any electronic device that can be used to steal cars. This includes signal relay, repeater, or amplifier devices commonly used by organised and well-funded thieves.
Details of the Legislation
The new law also covers signal jammers and tracking devices attached to victims' cars to monitor their movements. Convictions can lead to up to five years in prison, unlimited fines, or both. The Home Office stated that a significant proportion of vehicle theft is driven by organised crime groups, costing hundreds of millions of pounds in social and economic harm each year. The demand for stolen vehicles makes this a highly attractive and lucrative area for criminals, who profit from selling stolen vehicles and parts.
Expert Reactions
Richard Billyeald, operations officer at Thatcham Research, noted that casual theft and joyriding of the 1980s and 1990s have all but disappeared, as manufacturers have made it very difficult for amateurs to steal modern vehicles. However, organised criminal gangs are well-funded and sophisticated, combining specialist electronic equipment with an international logistics network. He emphasised that raising vehicle security alone will not prevent thefts, and that cooperation between government agencies, vehicle manufacturers, and Thatcham Research is essential to reduce the value of stolen assets and the incentive to steal them. He called this Act just the beginning of a sustained and coordinated effort.
Mark Rose, managing director of motor security product provider Tracker, reported that his team is increasingly finding GPS jammers at recovery sites when locating Tracker-activated stolen vehicles. He added that whether these vehicles are hidden in containers, chop shops, or underground locations, police can track them using their technology. The legislation will give frontline police more jurisdiction and have a significant positive impact on the scale of vehicle theft.
