A CAR is stolen every six minutes in the UK, according to insurance providers - with keyless theft on the rise.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) reported £376m was paid out to those who made claims about stolen cars last year, a 29 per cent rise on 2017.

They said the number of insurance claims for car thefts had risen by 12 per cent to 56,000 in 2018 compared with 2017.

Research has shown the incidence of keyless car thefts has risen in recent years as gadgets used to for break-ins become readily available.

Thatcham Research published a theft-risk report earlier this month which reveals which cars are most at risk of keyless robberies.

They gave several cars a 'poor' security rating including: Ford Mondeo, Hyundai Nexo, Kia ProCeed, Lexus UX and the Toyota Corolla Hybrid.

The Porsche Macan was initially given a 'poor' rating but it was then changed to 'superior'.

Laurenz Gerger, the ABI's motor policy adviser, said: "The resurgence in car crime is worrying.

"The record amounts paid to motorists by their insurers in part reflects the vulnerability of some cars to keyless relay theft.

"Action by motor manufacturers to tackle this high-tech vulnerability, allied with owners taking some simple, inexpensive precautions will help reverse this unwelcome trend."

LEGAL GADGET
A Sun Online investigation revealed how cars can be nicked in just a few seconds using a gadget that can be bought legally.

With a scanner, it took a mere six seconds to unlock a Ford Focus and start the engine — and not much longer to swipe nine others ranging from a Skoda to a Jaguar.

The scanners will work on almost all keyless cars.

Crooks can use them to steal a vehicle that is 200 metres from where the keys have been left — making it easy to swipe a car from an owner’s drive.

The devices work by capturing electromagnetic signals emitted by the car and its keyfob.

One thief stands by the car with one scanner while the other stands with a second device pointing in the direction of the keys.

The first crook then tries the car door handle which emits a signal. It is picked up by first device and bounced to the second one.

The keyfob in the house “hears” the signal and responds directly to the car, allowing its door to be opened and engine started.

But there is a way for you to keep your keyless car from being stolen - and all you need is a drinks can.

A cunning car owner figured out a way to prevent keyless cars being easily stolen by storing fobs in an empty drinks can.

Wolverhampton-based Adam Farmiloe tested the theory with a Fanta, Coca-Cola and even a Carlsberg can whilst sitting in his Ford Fiesta ST.

When posting the YouTube video on Facebook group Stolen Cars Uk [sic], Farmiloe wrote: "I know people can be tight when it comes to car security even spending £5 on a Faraday pouch to stop relay attacks".