Picture: Metropolitan Police

The police have told the owners of keyless cars to keep fob keys away from doors and windows.

The warning comes after 70 Range Rovers and high-end cars worth £1.5 million were stolen by a gang.

Officers raided ten properties across London, Essex and Hertfordshire and arrested nine suspected thieves.

They believe the gang used scanners to copy the signal from fobs left near doors and windows in people’s homes.

Once the signal is cloned it can be used to unlock the car and be driven off.

Figures reveal more than 90 per cent of car thefts in 2020 were carried out using scanners.

Metropolitan Police Detective Constable Tom Jenkins said:

“For many months, we have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to build evidence against the Organised Crime Group we believe to be responsible for the theft and fraudulent resale of at least 70 high-value vehicles to enable us to make our arrests.

“I hope this shows the community that we take this crime type very seriously, and we will do everything in our power to bring those responsible to justice.

“I’d remind people with electronic car keys to keep them away from doors and in a signal blocking pouch when not in use to prevent thieves scanning it to open and steal your car nearby.”

“If you buy a stolen car, not only would it result in you losing your money and having no car, but you could be arrested for handling stolen goods.

“When buying a vehicle, always check the DVLA V5 document and make sure the Vehicle Identification Number on the vehicle is the same as on the document.”

Seventy Range Rovers and high-end cars worth £1.5m stolen by crime gang.

Nine people – six men and three women – were arrested in early-morning raids on 10 separate addresses in the capital, Essex and Hertfordshire.https://t.co/hXp3xWsWCM pic.twitter.com/H0MolpLSQ1

— Gareth Davies (@GD10) March 17, 2021