Skip to content

How to stop your car being stolen in 'relay crime' theft

The latest type of vehicle theft doesn't require a key and can take less than a minute to carry out.

Known as 'relay crime', thieves can hack into a car's security system using computerised unlocking technology.

CCTV footage released by West Midlands Police shows a gang using this technology to steal a Mercedes in the Elmdon area of Solihull.

The force is advising motorists to invest in a steering lock, check for software updates and consider a tracking system.

28 November 2017

Explore More

A man sitting on a chair in a barbershop and surrounded by water

Barber devastated after second shop flooded

An aerial shot of a playground in Bradford-on-Avon submerged in floodwater

Wiltshire town submerged in Storm Bert flood water

A red and yellow child's car on it's side surrounded by water

'I could have lost my grandchildren in landslide'

A man in a hi-vis in a red boat in a flooded field. There is also a man with his dog in the boat.

Couple and dog rescued from flooded field in dark

Tractor driving through flood water in Tenbury Wells in a flooded village street with metres-high water

Tractor driver criticised for taking on floods

Hereford & Worcester

Charlie Elphinstone looks in a mirror to put on black bowler hat, he wears glasses, a white shirt, dark tie and suit and is surrounded by a military uniform and antique ornaments

My interest in antiques is a comfort from ear pain

NE, Orkney & Shetland

Smoke billowing as flames engulfing closely built houses next to water

Drone footage shows huge fire engulfing Manila shanty town

A firefighter in a khaki uniform with luminous yellow patches holds a cat that is partially stuck inside a piece of piping

Cat 'doing fine' after rescue from drainpipe

Emergency services workers run from approaching flood waters on street in Tenbury Wells

'Everyone get back!' - Video captures moment town floods

Hereford & Worcester

Flooded street

Flooded homes bailed out as Storm Bert causes chaos

Ben Rick in front of weather graphic

Latest forecast as Storm Bert brings floods and gales

Science & Environment

COP President Mukhtar Babayev receiving a hug as people applaud behind him

Standing ovation as long awaited COP29 finance deal agreed

Marshall Islands Climate Envoy Tina Stege walking out of a meeting

Watch: Dozens of nations walk out of COP29 climate talks

Footage of heavy flooding in a field

Heavy flooding caused by Storm Bert

BBC Scotland's Judith Ralston says there is also a weather warning as high winds are expected to hit the Western Isles and the north-west

Storm Bert brings rain and high winds on Sunday

Science & Environment

BBC News

One-minute World News

Country home blanketed in snow

Snowy Saturday as Storm Bert sweeps the UK

With some travel disruption, children and dogs have been enjoying the cold weather

Watch: Scotland under a blanket of snow from Storm Bert

Science & Environment

BBC Middle East correspondent Hugo Bachega at scene of destroyed building in Beirut, Lebanon

Beirut strike 'so powerful it was felt across the city'

BBC Scotland's Judith Ralston says snow will extend into northern Scotland over the next few hours.

The latest weather forecast for Scotland as Storm Bert hits

Composite image of Sir Keir Starmer and BBC Radio WM presenter Kath Stanczyszyn, who is pictured wearing headphones and speaking into a purple microphone

Will there be a Birmingham pub bombings inquiry?

The prime minister is grilled by BBC Radio WM presenter Kath Stanczyszyn on the chances of a public inquiry.

Birmingham & Black Country

Man in blue suit with green tie which has green and blue diagonal stripes. In the foreground is the back of a student's head

Pub bombings: 'These people deserve to be remembered'

BBC presenter Nick Owen talks to Birmingham school pupils about the 1974 pub bombings in the city.

Birmingham & Black Country

A group of women waving Aston Villa flags and singing

Villa fans sing for Champions League glory

Choirs sing the iconic Champions League anthem ahead of Aston Villa's Bayern Munich home game.

Birmingham & Black Country

Masked man holding a sawn-off shotgun about to fire a shot inside the store

CCTV shows gang shooting way into computer store

The gang smash windows with axes and fire shots in the Smethwick store in the footage.

Birmingham & Black Country

People on edge of lake with model yachts on the water

Setting sail with city's model boat lovers

Bournville Radio Sailing and Model Boat Club is staging an open day on Saturday.

Birmingham & Black Country

Photo of former West Brom player

Cap honour for footballer killed in World War One

A charity cycle ride through France and Belgium will honour a former West Bromwich Albion player.

Birmingham & Black Country

Betty Cowley who has short blonde hair and stands in front of designs showing the past around The Roundhouse. She wears a multi-coloured scarf above a grey top with a white floral design

Volunteers keen to showcase landmark building

Special tours are being offered around The Roundhouse in Birmingham during the heritage week.

Birmingham & Black Country

Undated handout photo issued by West Midlands Police of one of the dogs police want to trace

Watch: On the hunt for dogs suspected of killing man

Police are looking for two dogs after a man was found dead in the back garden of a home in Birmingham.

Birmingham & Black Country

Dead fish in the canal

Watch: BBC reporter at scene of West Midlands sodium cyanide spill

The BBC's Jo Black reports from where a major incident was declared after the chemical affected a 12-mile stretch of canals.

Birmingham & Black Country

Community activists outside Birmingham pub

'Pub disorder isn't a true reflection of us'

Community activists visit Birmingham pub to apologise after an attack on Monday night.

Birmingham & Black Country

Eli Lane

Young actor meets the man he gave a voice

Daniel Challis uses a communications device to speak with the voice of Eli Lane.

Birmingham & Black Country

An alpaca, with cream coloured fur, in a muddy field. The backs of two other alpacas are visible

The herd of alpacas bringing joy to care homes

The animals relieve stress and provide a calming presence wherever they go, their handler says.

Birmingham & Black Country

Craig and Callum

Bellingham fan finds out he will go to Euro final

Callum's dad tells the Birmingham City fan he will see first hand if England can make history in Berlin.

Birmingham & Black Country

Cricket fan celebrates England penalty win

Rival cricket fans unite to cheer on England

A video of India-Pakistan fans celebrating Saturday's Euros quarter-final success has gone viral.

Birmingham & Black Country

A woman holding a telephone

How a phone is helping with bereavement

The wind phone is a Japanese idea, which encourages users to speak to their lost loved ones.

Birmingham & Black Country

Four children

What would kids do if they were prime minister?

Among the Birmingham children's policies are free water, free funerals and free ice cream.

Birmingham & Black Country

Nick Owen

MBE a 'wow moment' for BBC presenter Nick Owen

BBC Midlands Today presenter is recognised for services to broadcasting and charity.

Birmingham & Black Country

CCTV image inside church

Church lectern thief caught on CCTV

Revd Matthew Tomlinson says the eagle was given to the church when it opened in 1868.

Birmingham & Black Country

Narrowboat on the canal

Narrowboats take on 24 hour canal challenge

The event on the West Midlands canal network dates back to the 1960s.

Birmingham & Black Country

Unai Emery

Villa's champagne moment for Champions League

Manchester City's win at Tottenham is enjoyed by Villa's players during their annual awards dinner.

Birmingham & Black Country