The motor industry is calling for more safeguards after reports that thieves are targeting vehicles with ‘keyless’ ignition systems.

"Equipment to steal vehicles in this way is legitimately used by workshops to carry out routine maintenance," said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

It went on: "As part of the need for open access to technical information to enable a flourishing after-market, this equipment is available to independent technicians. However a minority of individuals are exploiting this to obtain the equipment to access vehicles fraudulently.

"We need better safeguards within the regulatory framework to make sure this equipment does not fall into unlawful hands and, if it does, that the law provides severe penalties to act as an effective deterrent."

The SMMT's comments came after The Times revealed that the ongoing problem has led some motor insurers to refuse insuring Range Rovers in London after a series of thefts.

A spokesman for automotive research centre Thatcham told The Times that between January and July this year, 294 Range Rover Evoque and Sport vehicles were stolen in London, while 63 BMW X5s were also taken.

A Jaguar Land Rover spokesman told The Times that criminal re-programming of remote-entry keys was an industry-wide problem.