APRIL 2024 LEICESTERSHIRE BUILDER MAGAZINE online
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34 Leicestershire <strong>BUILDER</strong> Magazine • <strong>APRIL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@buildermagazines.co.uk<br />
Car Thefts Have Risen By 50%<br />
Due To ‘Smart Keys’ - Expert<br />
Reveals How To Keep Yours Safe<br />
Car thefts are now at their highest in a decade, and the<br />
recent rise is down to the automatic systems that unlock<br />
cars with ‘smart keys’.<br />
The number of stolen cars has risen from 85,803 vehicles in the year to<br />
March 2012 to 130,270 in the year to March 2023, an increase of more than<br />
50%, and this is largely down to the new technology.<br />
As a result, Ben Pitcher, car expert and owner of DPFexperts, has<br />
explained how to keep your car safe and out of the hands of thieves if you<br />
have ‘smart keys’.<br />
Please find Ben’s advice below:<br />
Signal Blocking<br />
Faraday cage your keys: It may be worthwhile<br />
investing a relatively small amount of money in a<br />
Faraday pouch, a metal-lined box that blocks the<br />
signal emitted by your key fob, in order to deter any<br />
car thieves.<br />
When your keys aren’t in use, simply store them in<br />
the Faraday cage, especially at night if you usually<br />
keep them near windows or doors.<br />
Faraday cage available from Amazon for £18.99<br />
Metal containers work too: If you don’t want to<br />
splash out on a Faraday cage, a metal tin may also do the same job. Even<br />
your fridge can offer temporary signal-blocking protection from car thieves,<br />
but you may want to tell anyone you live with beforehand so they don’t start<br />
asking questions!<br />
Habitual Security<br />
Double-check the lock: Although it may<br />
seem obvious, it’s important that you always<br />
double-check that your car is physically<br />
locked and don’t solely rely on the automatic<br />
locking feature, especially after you think<br />
you’ve locked it using the key fob.<br />
Keep keys out of sight: It’s unfortunate<br />
that you have to think about such mundane<br />
things, but it’s important that you don’t leave<br />
your keys near windows or doors, even inside<br />
your house, as this makes them vulnerable to<br />
signal relay attacks.<br />
Consider a steering wheel lock: Steering locks may have gone out of<br />
fashion some time ago, but they are an effective way of keeping your<br />
vehicle out of the wrong hands. While not foolproof, a visible steering wheel<br />
lock can deter opportunistic thieves.<br />
Steering wheel lock available from Toolstation for £23.98<br />
Advanced Security<br />
Talk to your car dealer: It’s important to be informed about the technology<br />
you are purchasing or are already in possession of, so it’s advisable to ask<br />
your car dealer about your specific model’s capabilities. Newer key fobs<br />
might have features like motion detection that deactivate the signal when<br />
not in use.<br />
Invest in a tracker: It may seem a tad extreme, but it could prove very<br />
beneficial to install a hidden GPS tracker in your car as this can help<br />
authorities locate your vehicle even if it’s stolen.<br />
Explore aftermarket solutions: Additional security systems like ghost<br />
immobilisers, which require a separate code to start the car, can add<br />
another layer of protection.<br />
Understanding The Threat<br />
Relay attacks: Thieves use two devices, one near the key fob and another<br />
near the car, to amplify the key’s signal and trick the car into unlocking.<br />
Source: DPFexperts<br />
Melton Borough<br />
Council adds three new<br />
homes to its housing stock<br />
MELTON BOROUGH<br />
COUNCIL has<br />
acquired three<br />
new homes,<br />
adding to its<br />
housing stock and<br />
providing new,<br />
high-quality homes<br />
for households in<br />
housing need.<br />
The brand-new<br />
properties are situated across the borough, with a two-bedroom house<br />
located in Melton Mowbray and two three-bedroom properties located<br />
in Asfordby and are the first in a pipeline of housing acquisitions being<br />
progressed by the council as part of its affordable housing development<br />
plan.<br />
The new homes are now available through the Council’s Housing<br />
Register and eligible housing register applicants can express an interest in<br />
the homes via their Housing <strong>online</strong> account. The houses will be allocated<br />
in line with the Council’s Housing Allocations Policy and will be let at an<br />
affordable rent.<br />
Cllr Carter and Cllr Clay, who represent the Asfordby Ward, recently<br />
joined housing colleagues to view the new homes in the village. They<br />
commented that “These two new homes in Asfordby are well located for<br />
the village’s amenities and will provide a good quality housing option for<br />
families in need. We were delighted to see that both properties are fitted<br />
with integrated kitchen appliances, and are fully decorated and carpeted”<br />
Residents can apply to be on the Council’s Housing register at www.<br />
melton.gov.uk/housing/apply .<br />
TO ADVERTISE IN <strong>LEICESTERSHIRE</strong> <strong>BUILDER</strong><br />
call Mike Wilkinson on 01530 244069<br />
Or email: info@buildermagazines.co.uk<br />
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