Keeping your car key safe.

Keeping your car key safe.

West Midlands Police (WMP)

vehicle security

Tipton, Great Bridge, and Princes End

Keeping your car key safe.

Defeating the "Hook and Cane" (Letterbox Fishing)

Local Tipton neighbourhood teams warn that thieves operating in the DY4 area actively use long, hook-ended rods or magnets through letterboxes and cat flaps to "fish" for car keys left on hallway tables or hanging on hooks.

The "Out of Sight" Rule: Never leave your car keys in the hallway, near the front door, or anywhere visible from a window.

Secure Storage: Store your keys upstairs, in a drawer, or completely away from the ground-floor entry points of your home.

Lift, Lock, Remove: For uPVC doors common in newer housing builds across Princes End, physically lift the handle, turn the key, and remove the key from the lock so it cannot be turned from the outside via the letterbox.

2. Neutralizing Keyless "Relay Attacks"

If you drive a keyless entry vehicle, criminals can use electronic transmitters from outside your home to capture the signal from your key inside, cloning it to unlock and start your car in seconds.

Use a Faraday Bag: Store your main keys and your spare keys inside a certified signal-blocking pouch (like the Halfords Anti-Theft Signal Blocker) the moment you walk through the door.

Test the Pouch: WMP explicitly reminds drivers to test their Faraday bags every few months. Place the key inside the pouch, walk up to your car, and try to open the door. If the door unlocks, the lining has worn down and the bag needs replacing.

Turn Off the Signal: Check your vehicle manual to see if you can manually turn off the wireless signal on your key fob when it is not in use.

3. "Lock It and Check It" at Retail Hotspots

When parking at high-activity zones like Great Bridge Retail Park or the supermarkets around Tipton, be aware of "Signal Jamming".

Thieves use small electronic jammers to block the signal when you press your lock button, leaving your car unlocked as you walk away.

The Rule: Don't just listen for the "beep" or look for the flashing lights. Always manually pull the door handle to verify the vehicle is securely locked before walking into a shop.

4. Back Up Your Keys with Physical Layered Security

Electronic keys are vulnerable, which is why WMP strongly advocates for adding a traditional, physical layer of security. A sturdy, high-visibility steering wheel lock (such as a Sold Secure or Secured by Design approved full-cover lock) acts as an immediate visual deterrent. Even if a thief manages to bypass or clone your key signal, they cannot drive the vehicle away without making significant noise trying to cut off the physical lock.

Thank you from Tipton police station.

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Message Sent By
Selina Male
(Police, Police Community Support Officer, Tipton)