Business & security 40 www.aftermarketonline.net JUNE 2024 In the perpetual cat-and-mouse game between car thieves and those committed to thwarting them, the stakes have never been higher. According to DVLA figures published in March 2023, an average of nearly 160 cars are stolen every year in the UK, and often at the hands of seasoned criminal networks. That figure marked a troubling 20% increase from the previous year, underscoring the need for innovative solutions. For mechanics and garage owners, the implications of the scale of this problem extend beyond mere statistics. Vehicles left in their care are potential targets for theft, posing not only financial losses but also reputational risks — especially if reviews indicate that the cars were stolen while in their care. In light of these challenges, it is important to explore how emerging technologies can fortify the defences of these vehicles. With that in mind Gareth Mitchell, UK partner manager for Heliot Europe, sheds light on the potential of Sigfox’s sub-gigahertz (0G) radio technology in providing a discreet, robust, and effective solution for stolen vehicle recovery across Europe. The audacity of car thieves knows no bounds. Armed with sophisticated tools and insider knowledge, they have a keen sense of which vehicles are parked in garages, where they are located, and when is the best time to strike. In a matter of minutes, a thief can bypass a vehicle’s security features and short circuit the ignition, making off with the stolen vehicle without leaving a trace. This is exacerbated further in newer car models that adopt proximity sensor keys, allowing for duplicate keys to be easily programmed using inexpensive software, enabling a car to be stolen in minutes. For mechanics and garage owners, this poses a grave threat to their businesses and assets, with the added potential to disrupt operations and erode trust among clients. Vulnerabilities According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), a staggering 130,389 vehicles were stolen in 2022 alone, highlighting the urgency of the situation in the UK. Compounding the challenge is the rapid movement of stolen vehicles across borders, necessitating swift and coordinated responses from law enforcement and investigation teams. Traditional systems such as GPS tracking coupled with data transmission over cellular networks (eg 2G, 3G, 4G) and other systems with passive tracking technology have long been employed in the fight against vehicle theft — but, they are not without their vulnerabilities. Savvy criminals possess the means to detect and neutralise these signals, rendering them ineffective in many cases. In contrast, Sigfox’s low power Stop thief! Mechanics may sometimes need to be crime-busters to safeguard cars left in their care, but there are high-tech solutions garages can add to their toolkits when comes to helping track down and recover stolen vehicles
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