Close legal loophole for car theft criminals, urges Tracker

New report confirms jamming devices should be outlawed

Stolen vehicle recovery expert, TRACKER, is welcoming a new report which exposes a loophole in law which could be aiding car thieves. The report from the Royal Academy of Engineering highlights that the UK is dangerously dependent on GPS satellite navigation systems, which are vulnerable to attack from jamming devices. Whilst illegal to use, jamming equipment can lawfully be imported, advertised and owned in the UK and present a very really threat to car owners who have installed GPS reliant tracking devices.

Tracking systems have become a major part of every day life with GPS being used in everything from cars to phones, cameras and even pet collars. However, they are defenceless against a technique called 'jamming' which blocks the signal between a GPS satellite and its receiver. Alarmingly, jammers can be bought online for as little as £20 and they are getting easier to obtain. Tackling the issue head on, TRACKER has embraced new technology, incorporating GSM, GPS and VHF technology into its stolen vehicle tracking units. The result is a solution far more resistant to criminals using jamming devices.

"We wholly support this report and calls to close a legal loophole which allows the sale and purchase of jammers, but outlaws the use of such equipment," says Stephen Doran, managing director for TRACKER. "Many people are unaware how much GPS alone is relied upon as a security and recovery system or its potential to fail or be sabotaged. Jammers are getting easier to obtain and don't need to be powerful to knock out a GPS signal. Whilst criminals use jammers to steal cars, experts are rightly voicing concerns that air traffic control or other important networks could come under attack in the future if steps are not taken."

Used by all 52 police forces, TRACKER's stolen vehicle recovery systems harness three different forms of communication to inform the police of the initial location of a stolen vehicle. Crucially, the TRACKER system can raise an alert to TRACKER if there is any attempt to jam the communication channel, so the police and owner are aware of the theft instantly.

Stephen Doran concludes, "With more and more UK motorists vulnerable to attack from jamming devices we don't believe a single technology system is robust enough. TRACKER's systems have been designed specifically to overcome these issues for the stolen vehicle recovery market. But, more importantly, our advances in technology make this solution equally applicable to any market or business where the protection of the asset is paramount and the rising risk of GPS jamming causes concern."

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