CLEVER crooks are nicking cars and vans by hacking the keyless entry system, city cops believe.

Officers in the Greater Glasgow Police Division revealed they have had reports of stolen cars and vans without the keys having been taken.

Now cops are urging motorists to protect the key code by hiding it in a secure place which will block the signal.

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A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Cars and vans have recently been stolen across Glasgow in incidents where the keys have not been taken, suggesting the keyless entry systems have been hacked.

“One possible way of doing this is by scanning the key inside a property using a key code reading device from outside. This is simple to avoid by placing the keys inside a signal blocker known as a Faraday Pouch, or a good old fashioned biscuit tin.

“If you have a vehicle with keyless entry, please protect your vehicle by keeping keys stored at all times in this manner.”

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Keyless car entry works with a fob that contains identity chips that listen out for radio signals broadcast by their car. The radio signals can only travel short distances, usually less than five metres.

When you put your hand on the door handle of a keyless car - or press a button in some cases- the vehicle sends out the short radio signal.

If the fob is in range, it’s then triggered to respond to the car, sending out its own code. The car recognises this and unlocks the doors.