Doorbell device helps car thieves

Police looking to name most vulnerable cars

Car thieves are using wireless doorbells to jam remote locking systems on vehicles, police have warned.

The doorbell transmitters are used to block the signal from the motorist's key fob, leaving the car unlocked.

Crooks wait until the owner has walked away and can then take the car or steal anything the owner may have left inside the vehicle.

Work is under way to see which cars are most vulnerable to the jamming and what can be done to combat this.

The warning has come from the Association of Chief Police Officers' (Acpo) Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service.

Superintendent John Wake of Acpo said: "Motorists should always check their alarms are set by testing the doors in order to ensure that the vehicle is secure."

Still unlocked

Many cars' lights flash to show the alarm has been activated and may sound the horn.

However, police say some drivers point the fob over their shoulders as they walk away and do not check the security systems have been activated.

An immobiliser will set itself automatically after a few seconds.

But the car can still be unlocked, making anything left inside vulnerable to thieves hiding nearby, according to Acpo.

Police say motorists should always remove valuables such as mobile phones and satellite navigation systems.