Police are hunting a gang who are using high-tech tactics to steal expensive cars from outside Norfolk homes in the middle of the night.
The thieves are able to break in to vehicles which use keyless entry and ignition systems and drive them off without waking the owners.
They use specialist electronic equipment which is able to 'capture' the signal from the key, from inside the owner's house, and 'relay' it to a receiver held by someone standing next to the vehicle, who can then open the door and start the engine.
READ MORE: Suspected drink driver arrested after crash in quiet street
Police have received reports of two thefts in Attleborough - both at almost exactly midnight and more than a week apart - and motorists are being urged to be vigilant.
On both occasions, the thefts took at least an hour, with the masked gang outside the homes as the owners were asleep inside.
Both raids were captured on security camera footage.
The most recent was at around 12.15am on Friday, when the gang stole a Mercedes GLC 250 from a driveway on Chapel Road.
CCTV footage shows two figures wearing balaclavas, hats and gloves.
One of them can be seen holding a wire at the front porch of the property while the other stands at the front door of the car with a flashing gadget.
He is then seen climbing into the driver's seat where he stays for around 10 minutes.
Both then walk off before returning around 50 minutes later.
One of the men goes back to the front porch with a piece of kit while the other gets back in the driver's seat.
When the engine starts, they drive off.
A neighbour's doorbell footage captured a third person involved in the theft.
Sharon Richardson, the car's owner, said: "Never in a million years did I think this would happen to us. It's unbelievable.
"Thankfully nobody was hurt, but when it's your car, a personal possession you've worked hard for, it makes it personal.
“I've lived in this house for 25 years. It just leaves you feeling violated.”
Ms Richardson, a financial adviser, said she was at home with her husband at the time, with their bedroom window open.
The other theft took place nearby at around midnight on June 13 and saw a BMW X1 stolen.
READ MORE: Coach driver reported for careless driving in road safety police crackdown
The owner, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I feel really violated, I have two young children and we were all asleep in the house."
Her doorbell camera was covered with tape by the gang but the theft was captured on video footage from a neighbour's doorbell camera.
Again, it shows three figures and on this occasion, it took them a total of two hours to steal the vehicle.
“I was in shock. I felt sick to my stomach," the victim said.
"It’s horrible that people were creeping around our home."
HOW DOES THE THEFT WORK AND HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOURSELF?
Keyless entry cars allow the driver to unlock and start a vehicle while the key fob, which can automatically sense when you are near your car, remains in your pocket.
Thieves use specialist electronic equipment which can hack the signal from the fob.
This means the signal can then be transmitted to a receiver that somebody standing next to the car can use to unlock the door and start the engine.
The thefts require car thieves to be within a few metres of your car keys to capture the signal.
Owners can protect themselves by putting their keys in a signal-blocking pouch, such as a 'Faraday Bag', to protect the signal from being captured outside the house.
They can also turn off the fob's wireless signal, keep the keys away from doors and windows and use a steering wheel lock or car alarm.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel