Better use keys to lock your car these days.

My friend called this morning beside herself with anger and distress; she has spent the whole morning filing a police report instead of driving to Oxford for a much needed Christmas break. Her father’s car – the largest car in the family – was broken into and the thieves stole everything briefcase, laptop weekend bags and Christmas gifts, shopping the lot was taken.

Theft of this kind at this time of the year is not big news, and although you do what you can to comfort and support your friend and try to be vigilant yourself, when it happens to someone you know it’s very creepy. Not only did it happen so close to Christmas Day, her brother’s car – parked on the same street – was just broken into Monday night!

Now comes the real shocker, the father’s car was robbed between 9 and 9.15 this morning – it was also the third theft from a car on that Street this week, furthermore, none of the vehicles was physically broken into – the thieves used a new system called Key Cloning.

Apparently it’s the latest in car break-in techniques; thieves use an electronic device that captures the unique security code of individual vehicles while the car is being locked remotely. They stand by at a distance, watch and aim their device at their chosen victim. When the owner is out of sight they unlock the car and walk away with their loot. According to the police, they are around High Streets, restaurants, and on motorway service stations.

Peter’s car had everything the family needed for their Christmas week away, from food to presents, the whole shebang. On top of that, the two (very old and extremely friendly) dogs where in the backseat when the theft took place!

Please, please, be careful and stay save this Festive Season not everyone is charitable and kind.