New legislation targeting electronic vehicle theft tools has been welcomed by Thatcham Research, with the industry arguing it could help police intervene earlier against organised criminal gangs.

The Crime and Policing Act 2026 introduces new offences covering the possession and supply of electronic devices used in vehicle theft, including relay attack tools, CAN bus injection devices and key emulation technology.

According to Thatcham Research, the legislation will allow police to seize suspicious devices without needing to directly connect them to a completed theft, making it easier to disrupt organised gangs before crimes take place.

Jonathan Hewitt, chief executive at Thatcham Research, described the legislation as a “landmark moment” for the sector.

The changes come amid continued concern around vehicle theft despite long-term declines in overall vehicle crime.

Research carried out by Thatcham Research and the Centre for Economics and Business Research found 78% of drivers remain worried about vehicle theft, with 43% believing there are insufficient deterrents in place.

Thatcham said modern theft operations are increasingly sophisticated, combining specialist electronic equipment with organised international criminal networks rather than opportunistic theft alone.