Frequently described as the UK’s ‘most stolen’ car, security has been improved on new Range Rover models resulting in a reduction in thefts, reports Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) UK.

Vehicles manufactured from 2022 onwards are built on what the manufacturer describes as its most advanced electrical architecture, which includes the latest security features.

JLR says that since January 2022, only 0.07% of new Range Rover and new Range Rover Sports on the road have been stolen, while only 0.3% of new Defenders have been affected since 2020.

The latest security and technology can also be deployed to previous generation vehicles, including those out of warranty, ensuring they are updated with the same levels of protection as current models.

Updates, says JLR, have already been rolled out in the UK to more than 65,000 vehicles, reducing thefts of Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models built from 2018 to 2022 by more than 40%.

Patrick McGillycuddy, managing director of JLR UK, said: “While vehicle theft in the UK is affecting the whole car industry, at JLR we understand the negative impact this can have on the ownership experience for our clients.

“Our investment of more than £10 million demonstrates our ongoing commitment to tackling this issue.”

“Through our long-standing collaboration with law enforcement and key partners, our expert team will continue to develop and deploy effective anti-theft measures to ensure clients are protected. It is my personal priority.”

JLR’s investment includes updates to the Body Control Module (BCM) which prevents thieves driving away a vehicle without a key.

Criminals have previously hacked the keyless entry system enabling them to start the engine but JLR’s updates contain embedded technology to prevent this.

In 2018, JLR developed ultra-wide band (UWB) protection to counter the ‘relay attack’, where criminals intercept signals between the vehicle and key to unlock the car.

Vehicles are not vulnerable to that method when equipped with this technology, which also mitigates the requirement to store keys in a Faraday pouch.

JLR always recommend clients use every available measure to protect their vehicle, including the Jaguar and Land Rover ‘Remote’ apps.

These are connected service which JLR has made available so clients can access a suite of security features, such as vehicle lock reminders and ‘Guardian Mode’, which monitors the vehicle and provides an alert if there is any unauthorised interaction.

JLR also strongly urges any Range Rover, Defender, Discovery and Jaguar clients who have been contacted about the security updates available to them, to ensure they are completed via their authorised retailer. 

JLR has worked closely with automotive risk and intelligence company Thatcham Research for almost three decades, to develop industry leading security systems.

Richard Billyeald, chief technical officer at Thatcham Research, said: “Thatcham Research acknowledges that organised criminality is of serious concern to all vehicle manufacturers.

“Along with Thatcham Research, JLR has actively supported police and other partners, adopting a holistic approach to identify potential security vulnerabilities, and working proactively to close them down.

“We continue to work closely with JLR, including benchmarking of their recently implemented theft countermeasures as examples of security best practice.

“We are hopeful these measures will limit further theft exposure.”

The majority of stolen cars recovered by Tracker in the first half of 2023 were Range Rover and Land Rover models, with the Range Rover Sport top of the table again.