The Home Office reported in July 2025 that around 27% of UK vehicles now have keyless entry that's vulnerable to relay attack. Insurance industry data shows between 56-58% of car thefts nationally now use the method, rising to 60%+ in some London boroughs. Cornwall isn't a national hotspot but it's not immune — coastal car parks, holiday rentals, and second-home areas all see relay-attack theft in summer months. The fix costs £10. This guide explains how the attack works, what genuinely stops it, and the Cornwall-specific patterns to watch.
How a relay attack works (in plain English)
Modern keyless car fobs continuously transmit a low-power radio signal looking for "their" car. When the fob is within about 2 metres of the car, the car detects it and unlocks. The fob never knows whether the car is genuinely nearby — it just sees a request that says "are you there?" and responds.
A relay attack uses two devices to bridge the gap:
- Thief 1 stands close to your house. Their device picks up the weak signal from your fob (which is sitting on the hallway table inside).
- Their device amplifies and rebroadcasts the signal.
- Thief 2 stands by your car with a second device that receives the amplified signal and rebroadcasts it locally.
- Your car detects the signal and unlocks. Thief 2 starts the engine (push-button cars don't need the key physically present, just nearby) and drives away.
Total time: 20-60 seconds. No physical contact with your fob. No alarm. The thieves don't even need to know what car they're stealing.
How to know if you're vulnerable
Three quick tests:
- Do you have keyless entry? (Press the door handle to unlock without pressing a button on the fob.) If yes, you're vulnerable.
- Where do you keep the fob at night? On a hook by the door, on the kitchen counter, in a bowl on a hallway table — all within signal range of an external wall.
- Could someone stand within 1-2 metres of your front door? Front gardens, pavements, alleys, driveways. Most UK homes — yes.
If all three: vulnerable. Most relay attacks happen between 11pm and 4am.
What actually stops it
Faraday pouch (£8-£15)
A small fabric pouch lined with metallic mesh that blocks all radio signals — the same Faraday cage principle used to shield electronics. Your fob inside the pouch becomes invisible to relay devices. This is the single most effective defence and the cheapest.
Tips for buying:
- Buy two — main fob and spare
- Test it: put the fob inside, try to unlock your car standing next to it. Car shouldn't unlock.
- Re-test every 6 months — the metallic lining can wear with constant flexing
- Brands matter less than testing — most £10 Amazon options work
Distance from external walls (free)
Move the fob from the hallway to a back room, kitchen, or upstairs. The relay attack needs to receive your fob's signal — distance and walls attenuate it. Combined with a Faraday pouch, distance makes the system essentially attack-proof.
Steering wheel lock (£90-£140)
Visible deterrent — a Sold Secure Gold steering lock (Disklok is the standard) takes significant effort to remove. Most relay attackers move on to easier targets. Use in addition to a Faraday pouch, not instead.
OBD port lock (£50-£100)
Some thieves get in via relay then plug a diagnostic tool into the OBD port to clone a new key. An OBD port lock (a metal cover bolted in place) blocks this. Worth it for premium cars (£30k+).
Disable keyless entry (in some cars, free)
Some manufacturers let you disable the keyless feature via the infotainment menu — the fob becomes a regular remote (you press a button to unlock). Check your handbook. If available, this is the simplest defence: no signal to relay.
Tracker (£200-£400 + £100-£200/yr)
Doesn't stop the theft but maximises recovery. UK industry data shows tracker-equipped vehicles recover at 90%+ rates.
What doesn't work
- Hiding the fob in a tin or microwave. Sometimes works, often doesn't, completely unreliable. Use a proper Faraday pouch.
- Removing the fob battery. Defeats keyless entry temporarily but makes the car a hassle to use. Most people put the battery back within a week.
- "My car is too cheap to steal." Even £4k bangers are stolen for parts, for use in further crime, or because the thieves didn't know what they were stealing. Anything with keyless entry is a target.
Insurance implications
UK car insurance claims for stolen keyless vehicles total £680-£699 million annually according to industry data. Average payout per theft: £12,500. Most insurers now ask about your keyless security setup at policy renewal — some offer discounts for Faraday pouches or trackers; some load premiums for high-target makes.
What insurers care about:
- Where the car is parked overnight (driveway / garage / on-street)
- Whether you use a Faraday pouch (sometimes asked)
- Whether the car has a tracker fitted
- Additional immobiliser or steering lock
Cornwall-specific patterns
- Summer holiday hotspots — Newquay, Padstow, St Ives, Falmouth see relay attacks on tourist cars parked overnight at holiday rentals
- Second-home areas — cars left unattended for weeks at second homes are higher-risk
- Coastal car parks — overnight parking at coastal Cornish car parks is increasingly targeted; better to park at lit, monitored sites
- Premium SUVs and dual-cab pickups — Range Rover, Land Rover, Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger are top stolen models nationally and in Cornwall
Need car keys cut, programmed, or replaced after a theft in Cornwall? Submit your postcode — we cover mobile auto locksmith work across the county, usually faster (and cheaper) than the main dealer.
Frequently asked questions
How common is keyless car theft in the UK?
Over 27% of UK vehicles have vulnerable keyless entry (Home Office July 2025). Around 56-58% of car thefts nationally now use relay attack methods, rising to 60%+ in some London areas. UK insurance claims total £680-£699 million annually.
Does a Faraday pouch really work?
Yes — when working correctly, a Faraday pouch blocks all radio signal from your fob, making it invisible to relay attack devices. Test it: put the key inside the pouch, walk up to your car, try to unlock. If the car unlocks, the pouch isn't working — return it. Cost: £8-£15. Buy two (main fob and spare).
What's the most effective protection against keyless theft?
Layered: Faraday pouch (essential, £10), keep fob away from external walls (free), Sold Secure Gold steering wheel lock for visible deterrent (£90-£140), OBD port lock for premium cars (£50-£100), tracker for recovery if stolen (£200-£400). Faraday pouch alone stops 90% of relay attacks.
Can I disable keyless entry on my car?
On some cars yes — check the infotainment menu for "keyless entry" or "passive entry" toggle. Some manufacturers (Audi, BMW, Land Rover) have a way to disable; others don't. If you can, this is the simplest defence — the fob becomes a regular button-press remote.
Will my insurance cover a stolen keyless car?
Comprehensive cover usually does, but: insurers may ask about your security setup at renewal, may load premiums for high-target makes, and may refuse claims if you've materially misrepresented your protection. Worth declaring your Faraday pouch and tracker — it's positive, not negative.