Theft from Car using Key Jammers

BenandKate

Hi Everyone,
We've joined in the hope that someone can help. On Saturday we were robbed at the Welcome Break Woodall Services on the M1 southbound.
We parked near the front entrance (approx 3 spaces from the front). It was sunny so people were sat outside at picnic benches. It was very busy.
We sat in our car, with our 2 kids, eating sandwiches we brought with us (attempting some money saving). Then, all 4 of us headed into the services to use the loos.
We returned 5 minutes later.
Without any sign of forced entry our car contents had been stolen.
Because we were on a long journey with kids we had various tablets.
Because we were going to pay a deposit on a puppy I had £200 cash in my bag.
Everything was taken. We lost the lot, including a charm bracelet in my bag. All of my cards, including my driving licence. Everything gone. In total about £1000 worth of stuff.
It was devastating.:(
The services did nothing - not even sympathy or offer of use of a phone.
The police weren't interested, even although we actually think we saw the person who did it.
Because we didn't lock the things in the boot or glove compartment our home insurance won't pay out. Also there is no sign of forced entry. Well, there wouldn't be given they must have used a key jammer. Gits. Normally we take anything of value with us into the services but as it was a 5 minute wee trip in the circumstances I've described, honestly, we never, ever would have known that it was even possible.
The guy must have been using a car key lock jammer as it was far too busy to be just wandering around trying handles.
There is no way the car wasn't locked, or rather we thought we had locked it using the car key like we (and everyone else does!).
Obviously we've learnt some really hard and painful lessons so please be kind. This has been very rough on us. We didn't have £1000 to lose.
But, what can we do?!
Can we appeal?
Does anyone know of similar cases where the victims have received a payout from insurance?
There was an article in Dec 2016 about this phenomenan but the first I knew about this was falling victim to it. Services should put up some signs warning motorists that such schemes are in place. No one we've spoken to so far was aware that these car key jammers existed. Until we make it more widely known these thieves are in for an easy time.
Can anyone offer any advice?
Thank you, and take care,
Ben and Kate

Herzlos

Plenty of cars just don't lock if a door isn't closed properly, some without making much noise (mine doesn't make a sound and it's a pain).

The police should certainly be interested, in there should be CCTV that should show what has happened.

I'd get back on at the police and get them to investigate. Same with your insurance, but if the policy says it needs to be locked away you might struggle.

angrycrow

Does your car have keyless entry and ignition. If so the tech used to unlock it would also have enabled them to take the car so more likely it just failed to locked as you walked away. As already suggested if one door failed to close (seat belt buckle shut in door) the car would sound like it locked then unlock as you walked away. Opportunistic thief could spot this from distance.

If your car and home insurance both have clauses stating valuables must be in the boot or glove box you have no chance of appealing it if you have admitted to the police or insurer the items were in sight.

photome

I know you dont want to hear it but it is a lesson for others.
never leave valuables on display, and also never leave a bag with a purse/wallet inside in a car, especially if you are away from home.

like others have said it is more likely the doors didnt lock properly, I always watch the cars indicators when locking with key fob to make sure it has locked properly.

I dont think there is anything you can do re insurance

iammumtoone

Playing devils advocate the story whilst could be true is a bit far fetched.

Kids tablets, yes this is not unusual for these to be left in a car on a toilet break. Handbag. no most people take this with them especially if it had £200 cash in it (which in itself is unusual) A charm bracelet is normally on the wrist or at home in a jewellery box not generally carried around in a handbag.

The above is how it will look to a always suspicious insurance company. Can you prove any of the above, letter from breeder you were going to about puppy etc.

There are normally signs at service stations saying cars/items left at own risk.

I would get onto the police again and get them to check CCTV. Regardless of the insurance stance this is theft even if the car was unlocked you didn't give anyone else permission to take your goods.

takman

Even if a car key jammer was used then you failed to lock the car which would have been obvious by the indicator lights not flashing.


I also don't understand why you would leave you bad in the car when it contained all your card, cash and a bracelet?.


But the lesson you need to take away from this is that you need to make sure your car is locked, especially when in public car parks. Blaming it on a jamming device which is extremely unlikely to be used is not going to help you in the future.

waamo

If they had used some sort of jamming device I would imagine that they would commit a string of robberies. I can't see a device being used as a one off if they've gone to the trouble of acquiring such a device.

If s far more likely they noticed that there were no flashing lights as you walked away and so tried the doors.

iammumtoone

waamo wrote: »

If s far more likely they noticed that there were no flashing lights as you walked away and so tried the doors.

Even if this is the case it is still theft. The OP needs to act quick to get the CCTV checked before any evidence is wiped.

I agree if key jamming was used then the police would have had lots of reports within that car park/area in the same time frame.

photome

iammumtoone wrote: »

Even if this is the case it is still theft. The OP needs to act quick to get the CCTV checked before any evidence is wiped.

I agree if key jamming was used then the police would have had lots of reports within that car park/area in the same time frame.

While I agree it is still theft, how are the police going to help the OP, the chances of recovery are slim and if the insurance won't pay out then I don't see what the OP can do, other than be more careful

Mercdriver

photome wrote: »

While I agree it is still theft, how are the police going to help the OP, the chances of recovery are slim and if the insurance won't pay out then I don't see what the OP can do, other than be more careful

The police will (well at least should) want to ensure that there doesn't end up being a spate of such thefts. It could be a set of people they are quite eager to catch.

Certainly lesson learnt here - you won't be getting that stuff back. I don't know many women who would go to the loo without their handbag in these circumstances and the handbag and the tablets would be a very quick steal.

lincroft1710

Central locking can fail. If the services put up a sign, what could a motorist do to prevent the car being key jammed.