The new laws which have come into force should allow the Police to target gangs who use signal jammers and emulators to get into keyless ignition vehicles;
Thatcham Research warmly welcomes the Crime and Policing Act 2026, which has received Royal Assent and introduces landmark new offences targeting the possession and supply of electronic devices used in vehicle theft. The new legislation will help tackle thefts by organised gangs, which account for most vehicle thefts in the UK, though Thatcham Research calls for an even broader industry-wide approach to tackle criminal networks.
The legislation represents a significant moment for vehicle security in the UK. It creates a new possession offence targeting electronic theft devices, enabling police to intervene where the suspect cannot prove a legitimate use and seize devices without needing to link them to a completed theft. This increases the chances of successful prosecution for the possession of devices that very few people have legitimate use for, allowing law enforcement to disrupt organised criminal gangs.
A recent Thatcham Research survey, conducted in partnership with the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), found that 78% of drivers are worried about the threat of their vehicle being stolen, with 43% citing a lack of effective deterrents as a principal cause of rising theft.
Jonathan Hewett, chief executive, Thatcham Research, said:
“This is a landmark moment, and one Thatcham Research and the wider industry have been working towards for many years. Relay attack and key emulation devices exist for one purpose: to steal vehicles. Previously, taking action against individuals caught with these tools was very difficult unless it could be linked to a specific reported crime.
“The Crime and Policing Act 2026 fundamentally changes that equation. This Act creates a new possession offence, placing the burden on the individual to demonstrate a legitimate purpose, and allowing devices to be seized before any crime is committed. We welcome this change wholeheartedly.”
Richard Billyeald, Chief Research and Operations Officer, Thatcham Research, commented:
“The research we conducted with CEBR shows that the fear of vehicle theft is still there despite a 79% drop in police recorded thefts over the last 30 years. We are proud that Thatcham Research has played a pivotal role in establishing vehicle security standards and conducting testing for vehicle manufacturers, which has resulted in the UK having the highest levels of standard security equipment fitted to new vehicles.
“The casual theft and joyriding of the 1980s and 1990s has all but disappeared, with manufacturers having succeeded in making it very difficult for amateurs to steal modern vehicles. However, the organised criminal gangs who have replaced them are well-funded and sophisticated in their approach, combining specialist electronic equipment with an international logistics network. Raising vehicle security alone will not prevent thefts and these gangs will adapt their techniques, and we need to be ready for that.
“We believe that beating these criminals requires cooperation between government agencies, vehicle manufacturers and Thatcham Research to reduce the value of stolen assets and therefore the incentive to steal them. This Act should just be the beginning of a sustained and coordinated effort.”
Devices Now Prohibited by the Act
The Act targets a range of electronic tools regularly used by criminal gangs to steal vehicles, including:
- Relay attack tools: These exploit passive keyless entry and start systems by amplifying the signal between a key fob and a vehicle, tricking the car into believing a valid key is nearby.
- CAN bus injection devices: These inject fabricated signals directly into a vehicle’s internal communications network, unlocking the vehicle, disarming alarms and enabling the ignition without any key being present.
- Signal jammers: These interfere with wireless signals from key fobs and telemetry systems, leaving vehicles in an unlocked condition and concealing their location after theft.
- Emulators: Devices that replicate the function of a vehicle key to gain unauthorised access.
Many of these tools are designed to appear innocuous, mimicking Bluetooth speakers or handheld gaming devices. Online platforms, often posing as legitimate locksmith suppliers, continue to sell them under the guise of professional use.
Steve Launchbury, Principal Engineer for Automotive Security, Thatcham Research, added:
“The Act places the burden of proof firmly on the owner and seller of these tools to demonstrate a legitimate purpose. Some devices, such as signal jammers, are already illegal to use in the UK, and there is no legitimate case for them being held or traded by individuals or in the private market. It has long been difficult to understand what legitimate purpose their open sale could serve. These new provisions will make it considerably harder to trade such equipment openly, but international cooperation will be essential, as many of the platforms selling these tools operate abroad, placing them out of the immediate reach of UK enforcement powers.
“We work with police forces to keep them updated with new, emerging or adapted equipment used in thefts, and we stand ready to assist in helping the authorities and car manufacturers adapt to new threats that these organised criminal gangs create in the future.
“We can see that our work on electronic theft technique is leading to a shift in patterns in insurer data, with criminals concentrating on five to nine year old cars as newer vehicles become harder to crack electronically.”
A Joined-Up Approach Remains Essential
Thatcham Research continues to work alongside the Government, police forces including the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) and the National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership (NVCRP) vehicle manufacturers and the insurance industry to tackle the evolving threat from organised vehicle crime.
Billyeald concluded:
“This Bill is a significant and positive step in the fight against vehicle crime, and it provides a strong foundation for further action. Building on this, a broader, joined‑up approach is needed – one that disrupts organised criminal networks, reduces the market for stolen parts, supports vehicle manufacturers who are frequently targeted, and harnesses connected vehicle technology to devalue stolen assets and deter theft. Working collaboratively with carmakers to explore how this technology – including the safe and responsible use of remote vehicle inhibition – can reduce the incentive to steal vehicles and make them less attractive to criminals.”
Thatcham Research Advice for Preventing Thefts
While the Act strengthens the law, drivers can take practical steps to protect themselves, particularly against keyless relay attacks:
- Use a Faraday pouch to block your key fob’s signal. Test it regularly and use one for your spare fob too.
- Store fobs securely: keep them away from doors and windows to reduce the risk of signal amplification.
- Check your technology: some newer fobs have motion sensors that go to sleep when idle, blocking relay attacks. Ask your dealer whether your fob has this function.
- Look for Ultra-Wide Band (UWB): this technology, available on some modern vehicles, is designed to resist relay attacks.
- Consider a tracking system: if your vehicle is stolen, a tracking system can help pinpoint its location and support police recovery efforts.
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Give your car a digital detox: If you’ve bought a second-hand car, check for leftover data or access permissions from the previous owner. These could pose a security risk.
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