Police issue warning after keyless car theft in Shotton

Following a recent vehicle theft in Shotton, North Flintshire Police has issued security advice to local residents.

A vehicle was reportedly taken on Wednesday evening without keys, which police link to a rise in keyless entry car thefts.

The vehicle, a white Ford Fiesta with registration DA15 MWK, was stolen from a residential driveway in Shotton around 6.20 pm.

According to the vehicle’s owner, the car had been securely locked and parked.

North Flintshire Police are advising all car owners, especially those with keyless entry systems, to take extra steps to protect their vehicles.

Officers suggest the following security measures:

Lock your vehicle – Always double-check that all doors and windows are secure.

Protect your keys – Keep key fobs away from doors and windows, where they may be vulnerable to relay attacks. Police recommend storing fobs in a signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday bag, to prevent thieves from using devices to extend the key’s signal. Checking the pouch’s effectiveness every few months is also advised.

Reprogramme keys for second-hand cars – Police recommend reprogramming keys if you buy a pre-owned vehicle to reduce the risk of theft from unauthorised duplicates.

Disable wireless signals on key fobs when possible – Some keyless entry fobs have a manual option to disable wireless signals, which can help limit potential vulnerabilities.

Residents should report any unusual vehicles or suspicious activity to help reduce crime in the area.

Anyone with information regarding the stolen Ford Fiesta should contact police by calling 101.