If you drive in or around Liverpool city centre, you’ll want to know about this one. Merseyside Police have kicked off a major crackdown on vehicle crime in the city, aimed at car thieves who target both opportunistic targets and high-value keyless cars.
Officers are using the launch to engage directly with motorists and supporters around a football fixture — a smart move, given how many drivers and parked vehicles end up clustered in one place on a match day. Alongside crime prevention advice, the force is handing out free air fresheners printed with key safety messages and a QR code that links straight to vehicle crime prevention guidance on the force’s website.
The slogans are deliberately memorable: “Know the score. Lock your door.” “Lock it or lose it.” “Home or away, use a Faraday.” That last one is the bit cabbies and private hire drivers should pay particular attention to.
According to Superintendent Matthew Moscrop, Force Lead for Vehicle Crime, keyless entry theft is “a concern” and is often linked to organised crime groups that target vehicles outside homes using equipment that can remotely amplify the signal from a key fob inside the property. The fix is cheap and simple: a Faraday pouch, which blocks the signal and stops the car from being unlocked remotely.
The force’s other advice is the boring-but-essential stuff that licensed drivers already know in theory:
- Never leave the engine running unattended — if it’s nicked while idling, your insurer may not pay out.
- Park in well-lit, staffed car parks where possible.
- Use a steering wheel lock, pedal box or gear stick lock alongside the electronic security.
- Always manually check the car has locked before walking away — devices can be used to jam the electronic locking signal.
- Keep keys out of sight and away from the front door at home.
For cabbies, the keyless theft warning is particularly relevant. A lot of newer hackney and private hire vehicles are keyless models, and they sit outside the house overnight while drivers sleep — which is exactly the scenario organised crime groups are built around.
If a crime is in progress, the advice is the obvious one: dial 999. Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
If you are travelling to Manchester or Liverpool Airport from the Liverpool region, consider booking with DM Airport Transfers for all your pre-booked transfer needs.
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