We have reported before that keyless car theft has been increasing in our area. A new aspect to this is that Ring doorbells and other internet video systems are also being compromised.
A resident in Caterham recently reported that their car was stolen from their drive at night and when they reviewed their Ring doorbell footage nothing had been recorded during the time of the theft. When reporting the theft to their insurance company it was confirmed that criminals have started using signal jammers that block the wi-fi signal.
A signal jammer is a device that intentionally blocks a communications system. To do this, the device broadcasts electronic noise on the wi-fi radio frequencies so that they become overloaded. As a result, any device in the vicinity can be prevented from using it. Although such devices are illegal, they can apparently be easily bought at reasonable cost.
It is therefore advisable to consider additional security to protect your car. The easiest and cheapest solution is to install a steering wheel lock when your car is parked.
A steering wheel lock works by locking the steering wheel in place with the use of a long bar, making it impossible to steer the vehicle without removing the bar. Some models also include a bar that locks the brake pedal. They are not foolproof but would certainly delay or deter a thief. They are also reasonably cheap to buy and easy to install. Halfords sell a number of models starting at under £30.00.
Another option is to install car security posts on your driveway to discourage a thief removing your car from your drive. We have noticed a number of these being installed in the area.
This one from https://www.marshalls.co.uk/gardens-and-driveways/product/driveway-security-post is quite pricey at over £500 but there are cheaper versions available for under £100. You may need more than one depending on your drive, but they will help to protect any vehicles on the drive.