Thieves key in laptop threat

Hi-tech crooks have a new weapon in their armoury to steal cars - the computer laptop. They have perfected a way to steal expensive models with keyless security using a portable micro machine.

Security experts are warning of the new car breaker days after England football captain David Beckham had his second motor stolen in six months. This time, Spanish police believe a gang followed Beckham's BMW X5 until he left it in an underground car park - giving them the time to break the car's electronic security with their laptop.

Digital locks can't be opened with skeleton keys or picks, so thieves have created hi-tech cracking systems. Tim Hart of the Auto Locksmith Association said: 'It's difficult to steal cars with complex security, but not impossible. There are weaknesses in any system.'

Experts believe the gangs first acquire details on where a car's security data is stored - information that only the manufacturer is supposed to know. They then track a vehicle until they know it will be parked in a secluded area, because they need the time to connect their laptop to the car's computer via cable.

The gang runs software that interrogates the car's chips and sends them the right data to break the security barrier. 'At key steps the car's software can halt progress for up to 20 minutes as part of its in-built protection,' said Hart.

But after the shut-out periods expire, the gang is able to spring the locks, start the car and drive off. Expert thieves can also disable tracking devices, making it impossible for police to follow them.