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An example of bad design that can promote crime is lockers with the same key in the office. Offenders can use the same key to open every locker in the office, which reduce the effort they put in, and also the risks for being detected will reduce. Therefore, based on the rational choice perspective, this kind of design will promote crime events.

Moreover, because that the commute time is regular, there is a lack of guardianship in the early morning and late evening. Due to the routine activities approach, a fall in the number of guardians will also promote crime events.

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https://www.carwow.co.uk/blog/keyless-car-theft-prevention#gref

The above link some ups concisely the issue with this invention.

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If you've ever wondered why a £100,000 Range Rover has an aftermarket steering lock fitted, it's probably to prevent keyless car theft.
You'd like to think that car theft was a thing of the past in this day and age. But while immobilisers and alarms have made life much harder for crooks over the years, some keyless entry systems provide a weakness in modern cars, which thieves like to take full advantage of.

More than 101,000 cars were stolen in 2021, with many of these cases being attributed to keyless thefts.

So what is keyless car theft, and what can you do to prevent it? Well, the good news is it's not very difficult or expensive to provide some extra protection for your pride and joy.

What is a keyless car?

A keyless-entry system allows you to get into and start your car without ever having to fumble in your pocket for a key.

These systems work using short-range radio waves, with the key in your pocket or bag transmitting a signal that's picked up by a receiver in your car.

If your car recognises the signal as the correct one you'll be able to unlock it by opening the door as normal, or pressing a small button on it before opening the door, after which you can hop in the car and start it.

If the car doesn't recognise the signal as being correct, or there is no signal, you can pull the door handle as much as you want but the car won't open.

It's worth noting that not all keyless systems will both open and start the car. Some will unlock the doors, but still require you to insert a physical key into the ignition in order to start the engine.

How does keyless car theft work?

Keyless theft (otherwise known as relay theft) is relatively simple; all it requires is two small boxes of electronics, which thieves can use to open your car in as little as 60 seconds.

Crooks will typically work in pairs to commit relay theft, with one holding a relay amplifier, and the other a relay transmitter. They will usually target a house with a desirable car on the driveway, and their equipment will help them determine if the car is one with keyless entry.

The relay amplifier is used to pick up the signal transmitted by your key. One of the thieves will walk around the external walls of your house with the amplifier, hoping to detect the signal emitted by the keyless key.

An accomplice will stand by the car, and when their receiver picks up and replicates the amplified signal from the key, the car will be fooled into thinking the legitimate owner is there, allowing the vehicle to be unlocked and driven away.

Which cars are most likely to be stolen by keyless car theft?

It's fair to say that some models of car are more susceptible to keyless theft than others. First (and this may not be surprising), in order to be vulnerable to this type of theft, a car must have keyless entry - remote central locking is not vulnerable to the same hacking techniques.

A study by Thatcham Research in 2020 assessed how resilient a number of cars were to keyless theft, and awarded Poor, Basic and Superior ratings them. It's fair to say a number of manufacturers may have beefed up their security since then, but these results show that some systems can be better at resisting keyless theft than others.
Credit: Thatcham Research
How to prevent keyless car theft

Having read the above, you may want to take a couple of extra steps to protect your car from keyless theft. Fortunately, these are fairly straightforward.

Keep your keys away from your car

The first step is to keep your key as far away from your car as possible, and as far away from the windows and doors of your house, making it harder for criminals to detect and amplify your key signal.

The same is true if you park your car on the street. Parking it a distance from your house will make it harder to amplify the signal, also thieves won't necessarily know which house contains the corresponding keys.

Buy a Faraday pouch

A Faraday pouch or box uses a metallic lining to block radio waves from your keys so they can't be amplified by crooks. They're readily available online, and fairly inexpensive as well, with prices starting from as little as £5. While these are regarded as pretty effective, there's no guarantee that they can block 100% of the signal from your key.

If you need a quick solution, you can try putting your keys in a biscuit tin. Some owners even go so far as to place them in the microwave, but this is tricky to recommend: if you forget they're there and cook something without looking or thinking about it, you could fry your keys and destroy your microwave.

Physical measures

There's no point in a thief going to all the effort of getting your car started if they can't physically get it off the driveway. If you're in a two-car household, and one of the cars doesn't have keyless entry, use it to block the other one in. Failing this, you could also fit a lockable post to your driveway.

A steering lock will be a better solution for most people, though. These act both as a visual deterrent, and will add significant time to the job of stealing your car. The same is true of wheel clamps that lock around your car's wheels, or a pedal box that encases your car's accelerator, brake and clutch pedals.

Fit a tracking device

If the worst does happen and your car gets stolen, if it has previously been fitted with a tracking device, your chances of police recovering it will increase.

Having it professionally fitted will make it hard for the thieves to find and remove, while also making it easy for the police to locate the vehicle.

Insurance policies for expensive vehicles will often mandate a tracker, but even these aren't foolproof. If thieves are able to locate and disable the tracker, or if the car ends up in a shipping container that blocks the tracker's signal, you're unlikely to see your vehicle again.

What are the manufacturers doing?

A number of manufacturers have introduced preventative measures aimed at curbing keyless car theft.

Fobs provided by car companies such as BMW, Audi, Ford and Mercedes now come fitted with a motion sensor that deactivates the signal when the key is resting; this reduces the chances of the key being cloned when the key is hanging up overnight, for example.

Jaguar and Land Rover, meanwhile, use ultra wide-band radio technology, which stops thieves being able to isolate the signal to your car.

Kia has also taken its own unique approach: previously announced it would provide a Faraday bag with every new car.

Many cars fitted with keyless entry allow you to turn the system off, so thieves can't exploit weaknesses in the system, even though this will see you lose the convenience of having the feature fitted in the first place.

Disabling a keyless system is usually done with a combination of button presses on the key fob, or via your car's infotainment system; check your handbook or with your dealer to determine if and how this can be done.

Keyless car theft FAQs

How do I know if my car has keyless entry?

Most cars with keyless entry and keyless start won't have a visible key blade on the fob, so this is a pretty tell-tale sign. Other ways of telling if your car has keyless entry is to check with your dealer or in the owner's manual.

Look for a button on the door handles as well, as this is another telltale, or simply try opening your car without touching the key.

Something to keep in mind is that not all keyless systems will both unlock and start the car. If you have to physically insert the key to start the engine, your car will be less susceptible to keyless theft.

Are all new cars keyless?

Not all new cars are keyless but the technology is becoming ever more popular. While in the past it was reserved for high-end cars, more affordable models now often have a keyless system.

How far can a keyless car go without the key?

For safety reasons, a car won't just shut down as soon as it realises the key is missing. Typically, the car will flash a message on a screen saying the key is not detected, and will continue running until it is switched off, after which it won't restart until the key is returned.

Many a couple's weekend has been enlivened by the person with the key in their pocket being dropped off at a train station, only for the person dropping them off to frantically phone them soon after...

Can I turn off my car's keyless entry?

Many keyless systems can be turned off on new cars, however you may have to check with your handbook or dealer to find out if this can be done, and how to do it. A lot of the time it involves a series of button presses on the key fob in a particular order.

Are keyless cars more expensive to insure?

While keyless cars aren't necessarily more expensive to insure than other models, if the car is a likely target for thieves this can drive your premiums up.

Aside calculations related to who you are, where you live and what you do for a living, insurance premiums are based on the statistics that surround the model of car, such as how many are stolen or written off per year. This means if a particular car is often stolen, an insurer may charge more to cover it.

Will my insurance cover keyless car theft?

Yes, assuming you have met the conditions you agreed to when you took your policy out.

What happens to stolen cars?

Stolen cars can meet a variety of fates. Some are used in conjunction with other crimes, and may have cloned plates attached to them (IE a number plate from an identical model of car) to help evade detection. Other stolen cars may be shipped abroad and sold overseas. Anecdotally, we know of one individual whose car was stolen from their driveway overnight. It had a tracking device fitted, but this stopped transmitting after a short while, with authorities suggesting the car could be in a shipping container that was blocking the signal.

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Keyless car theft: What you need to know

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If you've ever wondered why a £100,000 Range Rover has an aftermarket steering lock fitted, it's probably to prevent keyless car theft. You'd like to think that car theft was a thing of the past in this day and age.

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Overgrown vegetation and lack of lighting- low visibility from public, it deters people from going at night which creates a lack of guardianship for offenders choosing to par take in criminal behaviour.

There are numerous exists, for instance running up the banking to the nearest road, which allows offenders to escape quickly if the police were called.

Concrete path means that footsteps can be heard from a far, alerting offenders if there was someone close by.

Open body of water allows for quick disposal of possible evidence of offending, e.g drugs, weapons.

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Santander Bikes (all accessible public bikes)

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Santander Bikes (all accessible public bikes)

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Santander bikes account for a large amount of the bikes stolen in London. A total of 1,164 Santander bikes were targets of theft in 2021. The lack of security attached to the bikes makes them an easy target for people looking to steal them. For example, how people acquire them. Some people leave them on the side of roads, buildings etc, and others can take them. They are rarely returned to their ramps.

They can be used at any give time, for a £2 hire, and the risks attached are very low, it is hard to track someone down for a single bike, it is equally as hard to determine whether someone else that is riding a Santander bike has stolen it or not, as it is commonly used and is everywhere in London and across the rest of the UK.

A good development that has been made is the fact that there are now strategies in place that allow Santander and the Met Police to track down the actual bikes, using GPS data. This is good as it means that thieves can be tracked down faster. Also, if people are aware that the bikes have tracking devices in them, they would be less likely to steal them, as the perceived risks would be higher, such as getting caught, or to be implicated in another matter that the bike may have been used for etc.

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An example of bad design that can facilitate crime is the lack of proper signage or way finding in public spaces, such as parks or streets. When there is confusion about how to navigate a space or find certain locations, it can create opportunities for criminal activity, as people may become lost or disoriented and more vulnerable to criminal activity. Additionally, the lack of clear signage can make people feel unsafe, as they may not be sure where to go or how to get help if needed. Therefore, it is important to consider clear signage and effective wayfinding in the design of public spaces to promote safety and discourage criminal activity.

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ATM machine located in dark light with no surrounding shops. Creates opportunity to steal from whoever may be using the ATM, due to lack of surveillance and visibility - reducing risk of offender being caught. Perceived effort is lower because there's not likely to be anyone there to help the victim.

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One example of a “bad” design that can facilitate crime is poorly lit public spaces. Poor lighting can at times be used for the aesthetics of a certain area from an artistic point of view, however, it can also provide cover for criminals and make it difficult for witnesses to identify perpetrators. Here are a few reasons why I think this type of design promotes or enables crime:

Creates a sense of anonymity: poor lighting can make it difficult for people to see each other’s faces or distinguish features, which can create a sense of anonymity. This can embolden criminals to commit crimes without fear of being identified or caught.

Reduces natural surveillance: good lighting can help promote natural surveillance, where members of the public keep an eye on their surroundings and look out for each other. Poor lighting can reduce natural surveillance by making it difficult for people to see what’s happening around them

Sends a message of neglect: poor lighting can also send a message that an area is neglected or not well-maintained. This can attract criminal activity and discourage people from using the space, further reducing natural surveillance and increasing the likelihood of crime.

Overall, poor lighting can contribute to an environment that facilitates crime by creating a sense of anonymity, limiting visibility, reducing natural surveillance, and sending a message of neglect. It’s important for designers to consider the impact of lighting on public safety and to prioritize well-lit public spaces that promote visibility and natural surveillance.

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Camden Market is an example of bad design in relation to crime prevention. Although there are CCTV camera, during the weekends and other busy times, the pavements are crowded with people which may facilitate pick-pocketing as many people are close together and their attention may not be on their personal belongings, instead on a conversation, or 'window shopping' (as examples).
The presence of graffiti may also be a prompt to criminal activity as suggested in the 'broken windows theory'.
Alongside many pedestrians, there are other routes around Camden Market and the surrounding area, such as bus routes, which may act as a route out for offenders, or an additional environment to partake in criminal activity.
As this location is a tourist attraction, there may be high value targets such as camera equipment or mobile phones compared to other areas around Camden which are more residential and won't have this quantity of targets.
During evenings, poor lighting may increase vulnerability of targets, and discourage others from going to this area, so the reduction in potential guardianship.

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Poorly designed public restrooms can provide opportunities for criminal activities such as drug use, theft, vandalism, and even assault.

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- This design flaw is criminogenic because it allows criminals to operate in a hidden or isolated space, away from the eyes of other people or surveillance cameras.

- Inadequate lighting, low-quality locks, and poorly placed mirrors can all contribute to a lack of visibility, making it difficult for users or law enforcement to detect and prevent criminal activities in public restrooms.

- The lack of visibility can also make people feel vulnerable and unsafe while using public restrooms. This can discourage people from using these facilities altogether and contribute to a decrease in community cohesion.

- This may also create opportunities for criminal activities and make people feel unsafe in public spaces.

- To prevent such criminal activities, public restrooms should be designed with adequate lighting, high-quality locks, and mirrors that provide good visibility.

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This type of café layout facilitates bag theft.
Busy street and narrow layout -> when large amount of people are around, it is less likely to get caught stealing objects from a bag or the bag itself
Social space -> people may be drinking or socialising thus not paying close enough attention to their belongings
Outdoor layout -> easy exit route for criminals

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The two simple reasons why the current design of catalytic converts on cars promotes and enables its theft:

1. Stealing a catalytic converter is a relatively simple job because of its location and its easy accessibility on the car.
It only takes a jack and an angle grinder. Most catalytic converters on modern cars are located under the vehicle towards the exhaust which makes it easily accessible to thieves by lifting the back of a car and cutting out the whole unit. Furthermore, this process only takes a few minutes (circa. less than a minute to 10 mins).

2. Catalytic converters are designed to contain metals inside them that are worth more than gold.
Inside a catalytic converter there is a ceramic element coated in various precious metals like platinum, rhodium and palladium. This is what attracts thieves - one can easily make £400-500 by selling a catalytic converter on the black market.

Catalytic converter theft | Metropolitan Police

Catalytic converter theft - why is it so common? | What Car?

Catalytic converter theft: why it's on the rise and how to prevent it

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The design of this green space can facilitate crime because it is open to anyone passing by, and the lack of a fence makes it unclear as to whether it is a public or private space.
With the ownership of the area not being evident, offenders might use it for inappropriate activities, such as smoking illegal substances or illegally gambling, without being pursued by the residents or owners of the flats.

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the newly built public toilet in Shibuya, Tokyo

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the newly built public toilet in Shibuya, Tokyo

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This public toilet consists of 2 genderless toilets stalls and 2 male toilets. This design can be a perfect place for the offenders to conduct sexual crimes and be hardly spotted.

limited views ->you can only spot things from a certain side of the toilet. If possible offenders sneak into other toilets stalls, it's hard to spot it from other directions, which reduces possible capable guardians & increase opportunities of crimes

increased contact of possible victims and offenders -> The entrances of the toilets are quite close and you can see the users of the toilets from the other toilets. Compared to the traditional toilets, this design puts the possible offenders and victims closer, which will give a bigger chance for the offenders to perform crimes.

No cameras -> Not really sure about the outside of the buildings, but there most likely will be none within the toilets. If offenders perform crimes inside the rooms, there's no way to detect the activities. If the possible victims are young, they might not even be able to ask for help (or even press the alarm, as indicated by a case in Kumamoto in 2011).

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No cameras around -> Cannot detect criminal activities around the area

Very open space -> People who walk past this building can see what is going on

No fences around the house -> Might be subjected to burglary

Seems very empty -> Might be because it is in a rural area?

No protective features -> Like high walls and gates

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Lack of cameras
Open space, but a lot of grass and bushes that is block the views
Opportunities for crime to happen as it is pretty secluded