Why London Vehicles Are High-Risk Targets for Keyless Theft

 

Why London Vehicles Are High-Risk Targets for Keyless Theft

 

London car theft statistics (brief, factual)

In the UK, London has the record for the highest number of car theft, with reported case of stolen vehicles reaching 8145 in 2023 (DVLA 2024). This makes London the country’s main hotspot for car crimes. It is also reported that 28.1% of all car thefts in England and Wales happened in London, with a total of 105, 211 cases recoded in the year ending September 2024 (Zego Insurance 2025). For vehicle owners, this is more than just national statistics, it is an existential threat that affects everyday drivers, including commercial fleets and rental operators.

Rise of relay attacks &signal amplification
Today, criminals don’t smash windows or steal physical physical keys anymore, they now use technology. Using relay attacks and signal amplification devices, criminals capture the signal from a key fob inside your home and send it to your vehicle outside. Once the signal hits your car, it decodes it as the key and unlocks. Then the criminal can drive your car away without triggering alarms. In over populated urban areas like London where buildings, pavements, and parked cars are usually in close proximity to the front door, this method has become highly effective.

Why keyless vehicles are more vulnerable
Even though keyless entry system was designed to streamline commuting. It created a weakness criminals exploit to steal vehicles. Criminals intercept the low frequency signals key fob constantly emits, then clone it using relatively accessible electronic tool. If your vehicle is a premium or one of the latest model, then you’re one of the most vulnerable to this hideous act as they are designed with electronic authentication. So unless you take extra security measure, you might end up being the victim of this mordern theft techniques.

Why driveway theft is increasing in urban areas

According to the latest statistics, driveway is not the safest place to park your car. In urban areas, majority of the reported car theft cases occurred directly outside the owner’s home, where criminals can easily access vehicles from the street. Residential driveways have become the favourite spot for thieves to carry out their atrocities because it allows them to quietly exploit the keyless signals from inside the building, and escape quickly due to the well-connected road networks of the city.

How Ghost II Works With Your Vehicle’s CAN Bus System

When it comes to advanced vehicle security, our Autowatch Ghost II immobiliser outperforms the traditional system. We break down how it works and why you need one below. 

CAN Bus Explained 

Mordern vehicles use a digital nervous system known as the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus. A super fast internal messaging network that allows the steering wheel control, dashboard, engine computer, door modules, and other electronic components to interact with one another in real time. The Ghost II utilize this network to integrate with the electronic brain of your vehicle to control an engine start command at its source. 

Why no RF signal = no relay attack

While the traditional alarm system rely on radio frequency (RF) signals between a key fob and your car, the Ghost II does not depend on any RF communication. This is a major turning point because  modern thieves use relay devices to capture and extend signal from a key fob from inside your home to your parked car to access your car and steal it. Since Ghost II doesn’t transmit any radio signal that can be intercepted, it’s impossible for the relay to capture anything. 

How Ghost integrates invisibly

Ghost II is usually buried deep in the CAN network of your vehicle, where it cannot be easily seen. There are no visible LED indicators, no external modules, no additional key fobs or easily detected components that could tip off the thief about the extra measure. Instead, the system blends seamlessly with the existing electronic component of your car, and interacts with the ECU to deactivate the engine start command, unless the owner or authorised person inputs the correct unique pin code using the car’s button. 

Why it cannot be scanned like traditional alarms

Experienced thieves use diagnostic tools or scanners to intercept signal transmitted by traditional alarms and immobilisers. This is impossible with Ghost II as it leaves no electrical footprints or identifiable trace in normal diagnostics since it works directly with the CAN bus through encrypted communication. Ghost II doesn’t show up at all on conventional system, so even if the criminal inserts a scanner into your OBD port, it won’t detect it. 

Ghost Immobiliser vs Factory Immobiliser – What’s the Difference?

 

• Core Functionality 

Factory immobiliser is the standard manufacturer-installed system that prevents basic thefts. It is designed to identify your car’s key and start the engine once the right transponder signal is detected. The Ghost immobilizer provides an extra layer of protection. Requires the correct unique pin code to be entered using your vehicle’s existing button before the engine can start even with the right key. 

• Vulnerability 

Factory immobilisers rely on key signals that can be easily intercepted or cloned by modern thieves, using relay device or diagnostic tools. The Ghost immobilizer does not send radio frequency signals that can be manipulated. It relies solely on correct code. 

• User Interaction

The process of factory immobilizer is automatic. Once you have the authenticated key, you can unlock and start the car as normal. The Ghost immobilizer require the correct PIN sequence before you can start driving.

• Visibility 

Every modern vehicle have built-in factory immobilizer which thieves have become accustomed with and understand very well. Ghost immobilizer blends seamlessly with your vehicle’s wiring, making it difficult for it to be detected to studied by thieves. 

• Installation

Factory immobilisers are usually installed directly by the manufacturers and cannot be customised after purchase. The Ghost immobilizer is installed by trained technicians at Securemycar, integrating seamlessly with your car without affecting it’s aesthetics or warranty. 

Our Professional Installation Standards in London

 

Discreet wiring practices

Your security needs to be completely out of sight. That’s the only way it can be effective. Our engineers specialise in system concealment and industry-standard hardwiring, carefully routing cables behind panels so nothing is exposed. 

No visible alterations

Unlike hastily installed solutions that leave traces like tell-tale cables, our installations are completely discreet. Your vehicle will look exactly as it looked when you brought it in but with security fully enhanced. 

No damage to vehicle systems

At Securemycar, we don’t just make your security work for you, we do it without compromise. With London-based technicians who are highly trained in vehicle electrical components and security product integration, we make sure every installation complies with manufacturer wiring standards, and maintains warranty integrity. 

PIN setup &testing procedure

After installation, we ensure every function of your new system like locks, driver recognition, PIN, immobiliser protocols is properly configured and tested to confirm everything is working is expected. 

Customer handover process

We see our handover process as an opportunity to educate. For every handover, we explain how your system operates, show you arming and disarming procedure, brief you on PIN security and backup protocol, and guid you through apps, alerts and any other connected services. 

Mobile or workshop options

We understand that London is a very busy city, which is why we make our installation options flexible. You can either bring your vehicle to our workshop or we come to your preferred location. Whatever your choice is, our goal is to deliver exceptional service that is in line with industry best standards.