Published: Monday, 24th March 2025
In a bid to protect our communities from car thefts, Cannock Chase Council are offering residents a free signal blocking tool, known as a faraday pouch, to store their car key in. This is thanks to funding received from the Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime.
Keyless car thefts continue to be a problem across the UK. Criminals use a relay device to transmit the signal to owners’ cars. The car thinks the actual key is close by and unlocks itself and allows the engine to be started.
The faraday pouch prevents the thief from picking up the signal from the key and therefore they are unable to steal your car. The Council have a number of signal blockers available free to residents, to pick up from the Civic Centre Reception.
Councillor David Williams Portfolio Leader for Community Wellbeing said “Protecting our residents and their property is an absolute priority for this Council. I've seen firsthand the impact of vehicle theft on families across Brereton and Ravenhill, Rugeley and the wider Cannock Chase area. It's not just an inconvenience; it's deeply distressing for victims.
“Through robust, proactive policing and initiatives like these signal-blocking pouches, we're taking decisive action against vehicle crime. These pouches are a simple but highly effective tool that significantly reduces the risk of keyless car theft. I strongly encourage all residents with keyless vehicles to collect their free pouch from the Civic Centre. By working together, police, council, and community, we're sending a clear message that vehicle crime will not be tolerated in Cannock Chase.”
Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime, Ben Adams, said: “I know vehicle crime is a major cause of concern for many of our communities – having your car stolen can cause significant disruption and stress for individuals, particularly if you rely on your vehicle for work too.
“We can all play a part in helping to drive down vehicle crime, whether that’s taking a few simple steps to protect our own vehicles or reporting any concerns about suspicious activity.
“I would encourage everyone to take advantage of the free faraday pouches being made available by Cannock District Council.”