Jaguar Land Rover says it has invested more than £10 million in developing and providing security upgrades to lessen the chances of Range Rovers being stolen.

It is trying to combat the scourge of key cloning and keyless car theft and criminals targeting its high value vehicles to strip for parts or resale abroad - recent DVLA data showed that the Range Rover was the second most stolen car of 2022, and the Land Rover Discovery was the fifth most stolen. Year-on-year the number of stolen Range Rovers increased by 47% to 5,533 since 2021.

JLR says its vehicles manufactured from 2022 onwards are built on JLR’s most advanced electrical architecture, meaning they have the latest security features and are proving resilient to theft: 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 carmaker is working hard to resolve issues that are hampering its ambition to deliver a real ultra-luxury experience to Range Rover customers, which it revealed earlier in 2023 with its 'House of Brands' strategy. The vulnerabilty to theft by organised criminal gangs has been a thorn in its side, as have recent instances where customers' cars were left awaiting repair because of a serious parts distribution crisis.

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.

Since 2022, more than 65,000 eligible vehicles from 2018 models onwards have so far received security updates via the Jaguar Land Rover dealer network. JLR has been contacting customers directly and it is now urging any remaining owners of Defender, Discovery, Range Rover and Jaguar cars built since 2018 to take up these updates, which are free of charge.

Police forces are still advising owners of Land Rovers and Range Rovers to fit mechanical security devices, such as pedal locks, wheel clamps and steering wheel locks, to increase the deterrent.

At Staffordshire Police, PC Peter Fraser said: "Vehicle thieves are targeting a number of cars, mostly high-value ones using electronic keys.

"We are, therefore, urging owners of all vehicles, but especially Land Rovers and Range Rovers, to remain vigilant and take the necessary steps to minimise the chances of falling victim to thieves."

JLR said it recommends owners use every available measure to protect their vehicle, including the Jaguar and Land Rover ‘Remote’ apps, a 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.

Patrick McGillycuddy (pictured), 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 strongly advises the following security steps for clients:

  • Always lock your car when leaving it unattended.
  • Activate the alarm by pressing the lock button on the door or smart key twice within a three-second interval.
  • Use the Jaguar and Land Rover Remote app and switch on vehicle lock reminders and Guardian Mode for added security. All new vehicles come with a free subscription package for three years. The app is available in app stores. 
  • Ensure Secure Tracker/Secure Tracker Pro is activated.  All new vehicles come with a free Secure Tracker/Secure Tracker Pro subscription package for 12 months.
  • Don’t leave keys where they can be easily taken, for example near a letterbox – but do not hide them. If thieves break into your home, it is far better for your safety that they do not confront you for your keys.

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