Shepton Mallet residents are being urged to stay vigilant following a warning from Mendip Neighbourhood Policing about a rise in keyless car thefts across the area.

Criminals are now using technology to intercept and clone signals from key fobs, even when the keys are inside a home.

By tricking the vehicle into believing the original fob is nearby, thieves can unlock cars and start the engine within just 20 to 30 seconds.

According to Aviva, owners of keyless entry cars are twice as likely to report thefts. Nearly 70% of vehicle recoveries made by SmarTrack in 2023 were related to keyless thefts, a figure expected to rise further in 2024.

A spokesperson for Mendip Neighbourhood Policing said, "We are seeing a significant increase in keyless car thefts in the area, and it's essential for residents to take extra precautions. Thieves can steal vehicles in under a minute using this technology. We strongly recommend using Faraday pouches to block the signal and steering wheel locks as an additional deterrent."

Police are advising all keyless car owners to ensure their vehicle is secured at all times and to keep key fobs, including spares, well away from doors and windows. Storing keys in a Faraday pouch or even a metal container, like an old biscuit tin, can help prevent thieves from picking up the signal.

Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the police by calling 999 immediately. This allows officers to be dispatched quickly and patrol the area.

To enhance home security, the police also suggest ensuring CCTV systems are functioning properly and that security lighting is in good working order.

Home owners are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to Police, at the time it is happening on 999, so that officers can be dispatched to the area to carry out an area tour and deal with any offences found appropriately.