Forth Valley Police have issued advice following a spate of vehicle thefts in the area.
They are advising residents about relay theft, a method often used by thieves acting in pairs to break into cars which have keyless entry systems.
One stands by the vehicle with a transmitter while the other stands near the house with another, picking up the signal from the car key which is often kept near front doors.
The transmitter next to the vehicle then picks up on it, making it think the keys are nearby so the thieves are then able to drive away in it and replace the locks and keys.
Forth Valley Police said: “It's important to make sure that your key is as far from the front door as possible so its signal can't be picked up.
“You can store you keys in a metal box (although it may seem excessive) as the metal could block the signal.
“A Faraday pouch or container, which is lined with layers of metallic material, works in the same way; these inexpensive pouches can be purchased readily online.”
