A SURGE in car thefts across the Thames Valley is being linked to an increase in keyless vehicles.

Between April 2017 and March this year, it is thought 2,900 cars were stolen in the region.

This represents a 22 per cent increase on the previous year, when 2,375 thefts were recorded.

A trend in motor thefts has caused manufacturers to demand tighter controls on the sale of illicit technology, which is used by thieves.

Car thefts are on the up in England and Wales, increasing by 15 per cent on the previous year and 40 per cent over the last five years.

Police and motoring campaigners have said this is largely due to a rise in keyless car thefts.

The force also recorded 10,901 incidents related to thefts from vehicles, an increase of 11.7 per cent from the previous year.