Redbridge Council calls on car manufacturers to make vehicles more secure from criminal gangs

Redbridge Council’s lead member for community safety is urgently challenging car giant bosses to improve the security options fitted in their vehicles. This urgent call to action is to ensure they become less attractive targets to organised criminal gangs.

In an open letter to the Chief Executives of some of the UK’s leading car brands, many of which are popular in Redbridge, Cllr Khayer Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, is lobbying the manufacturers to take additional steps to improve the security options fitted as standard in all new cars. 

The suggested measures would improve car security overall, tackle keyless vehicle theft, and ensure parts like steering wheels have anti-theft devices built-in or are marked in some way to remove the possibility of black-market resale.

Motor vehicle crime has escalated to become the third-highest criminal offence in Redbridge over the past year. The latest figures for Redbridge reveal that between January and March, 264 vehicles were stolen, while there were 363 thefts from motor vehicles.

Thieves are now using devices to access vehicle systems, which provide access to doors and windows and even allow them to start the engine without the key fob. Gangs are even using drones to scout neighbourhoods for the specific car models they have been tasked with stealing.

As part of the letter, Cllr Chowdhury highlights how one car manufacturer is now even starting to offer its own insurance policies to customers, as mainstream insurance companies lack confidence in the security features of their vehicles.

Cllr Chowdhury has also written directly to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police to ask for extra resources to target criminal gangs committing these offences.

Cllr Khayer Chowdhury said: “Manufacturers need to up their game and coordinate efforts to develop and install high-security features that criminals cannot surpass. By doing so, we can significantly reduce the incidence of car thefts and enhance the safety and security of vehicle owners.

“As a council, we continue to support our police partners in tackling motor vehicle crime across Redbridge. However, the impact of these crimes on our community is significant and cannot be ignored. An obvious longer-term solution exists and is desperately needed, as police enforcement alone will not resolve this.

"Too often, I have seen videos of thieves breaking into vehicles quickly and stealing them due to easily penetrable security features. Keyless cars are particularly susceptible to thieves as they are often easy to clone with mobile devices that thieves can usually carry in their pockets.

"I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further with car giant bosses to find out what steps they are taking to ensure their vehicles leave the factory floor with tamper-proof security features, meaning customers will be reassured their vehicle isn't easy pickings for organised criminal gangs."

Redbridge Council recently launched a public awareness campaign, advising people of the simple steps to keep their vehicles safe from thieves.  

These steps include:

• using a signal-blocking pouch for your car keys
• investing in a steering lock
• installing security measures on the driveway
• fitting an immobiliser and GPS tracking device
• considering safety features when purchasing a vehicle

Find out more about how to keep your vehicle safe by visiting the Met Police website.