UK to Ban Tech Used in Car Thefts: Signal Jammers Criminalized

New laws in England and Wales will ban sophisticated electronic devices used by criminals to steal cars. Over 700,000 vehicles were broken into last year, often using high-tech gadgets like signal jammers, implicated in about 40% of vehicle thefts nationwide. Previously, police needed to prove a device's use in a specific crime for prosecution; the new Crime and Policing Bill shifts the burden to the possessor to prove legitimate use. Making or selling jammers could result in five years in prison or an unlimited fine. This addresses the rise in car thefts, especially those exploiting keyless entry systems.