Police reveal shocking number of keyless entry cars and vans stolen in South Yorkshire in one month

Between December 7 and January 10, South Yorkshire Police received 101 reports of vehicles being stolen without their key.

Of the stolen vehicles 35 per cent were vans, many of which contained tools.

Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Henderson said: “Cars with keyless entry unlock automatically when the fob comes within a short range.

“Relay theft occurs when a device is used to trick the car into thinking the fob is nearby, the car unlocks, and the ignition can be started.”

He added: “Out of the 101 cars stolen in the time period mentioned, we have recovered 31 of them.

"We’ve got patrols and covert operations happening in hotspot areas and we’re also liaising with other forces.

“We’ve already made a number of arrests.”

He urged motorists to fit steering wheel locks and to buy signal blocking pouches.