I see. Is this have been like major case in Malaysia or what? I think it's good they go public so those thief at least have to think twice before they do anything. What I'll do I put some clone laptop (anything that can be detect and they thought it's a laptop) then I'll act like im going shoppin'. I'll hide somewhere they can't see. When they come and open my boot, I'll rush and push them into the boot and voila ! Bring to police station and 4-5 times per day plus some help from any volunteers (guys ?!) then these thieves will extinct from the world (or Malaysia).

Alert over hi-tech thieves who scan cars for laptops

HI-TECH alert: Inspector Neil Bhole, Sgt Alan Hamlin and Sgt Imran Abbasi.HI-TECH alert: Inspector Neil Bhole, Sgt Alan Hamlin and Sgt Imran Abbasi.

EXCLUSIVE

POLICE say advanced technology in mobile phones is behind a steep rise in vehicle crime in south Manchester.

Thieves are using new 'blue-tooth' phones to detect whether motorists have left mobiles or laptops in their cars. The 'blue-tooth' facility enables thieves to locate compatible electrical items - even if they are hidden away in a boot or glove compartment.

Police say the new technology is allowing criminals to selectively steal from cars with expensive laptops and mobile phones which also have 'blue-tooth' facilities.

In Chorlton, police estimate that out of the last 35 recorded vehicle crimes, at least 20 involved the use of these high-tech phones.

Sergeant Imran Abbasi, of Chorlton Police, said: "It's become quite endemic in Chorlton. They're not picking cars out at random - in many cases they know there's something in there."

The thieves are using the same technology that allows mobile phone users to send pictures and clips to their friends, as well as free test messages to strangers with compatible 'blue-tooth' phones. 

Sgt Abbasi added: "If it comes up on the thief's screen it's a green light to go and break in. Around Chorlton's shopping areas they're more likely to find an expensive laptop."

The thieves have been targeting busy shopping districts where they can take their pick of cars parked by shoppers.

If they pass a car with 'blue-tooth' electrical items, a signal will appear on the screen of the thief's mobile displaying the make or model of the valuables inside. To counter the new trend police launched the anti car-crime initiative Operation Kancun.

As part of the four-week blitz, high-visibility officers swamped Chorlton's shopping centres and gave out advisory leaflets warning motorists of the dangers.

The operation has reduced car crime in Chorlton by 50 pc since its launch last month.

But Inspector Neil Bhole, head of Chorlton's area policing team, warned: "There are a lot of problems with high-powered business people coming into Chorlton with their laptops in the car.

"If they do not switch them off completely, and leave them on standby, there is a good chance they will be stolen."

He added: "This type of thing has been around for the last six months but it's getting worse. I must stress that anyone with a laptop does not leave it in their car and that if they do they must make sure it's switched off, particularly if it's a 'blue-tooth' device'.

"The technolgy now exists which allows criminals to identify out-of-view laptops and mobile phones in vehicles and selectively break in to steal them."

i watched the news....not only dat it can detect ur notebook...they will even try to unlock ur car...they try to read ur alarm wireless signal n then ur car will unlock itself...the size of the detector will b as small as pen...

more hitech one would b able to determine either its notebook or digital camera...

well dats wat i saw in tv3 8pm news....last monday nite...

on the other hand, my lecturer own this stuff...n he said it detect ur wifi signal...even u edy shutdown ur notebook, ur wifi still emit small signal...better way is to remove the battery from ur notebook...

my opinion? NEVER leave ur notebook inside ur car...

edit: i need logical explanation how the hell it can detect battery/cmos battery...erh...battery did emit any signal? i wondering....

You are rich ma

Sometimes the valets could be in with the laptop hijackers... hehehehe
Trust no one. I'm quite sure the valets are not responsible is stuff are stolen, right ?