KEYLESS car thieves stole a haul of medical equipment after targeting a vehicle in Dorchester.

It is understood the raiders used a device to intercept the signal for the car's electronic key fob which was inside a house, allowing them to unlock the vehicle outside.

It's known as keyless car theft and has become a major problem in the UK.

The owner of the car is a paramedic practitioner for the NHS and visits care homes to provide frailty care.

He had left several items in the vehicle, some of which he had purchased himself. The estimated value of the stolen items is £1,100. These items include a stethoscope and other equipment he uses when treating elderly residents.

The owner's dad, Tony Smith, said: “We are trying to get the medical equipment back; it has caused problems with working as he is having to borrow some equipment from other people.”

Police are investigating; no arrests have been made.

The family are urging anyone that may come across the equipment to hand it into the police.

One of the items stolen included a stethoscope which was inside a medical bag which ‘may have appeared to thieves as a laptop bag.’

Mr Smith said insurance will not cover the costs of the items stolen and his son will have to re-purchase some of the items as they are necessary for him to do his job.

Mr Smith is now warning people to keep their electronic car keys safely stored in a metal box so that they don’t have the same thing happen to them.

He added: “My daughter had her car broken into via the same method as well.”

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “Dorset Police has received a report of theft from a motor vehicle which was parked in the Castle Park area of Dorchester between Tuesday, April 9 and Wednesday, April 10.

“It is reported that several items were taken from the vehicle. Enquiries are ongoing into the incident. No arrests have been made.”

Keyless car theft or 'relay theft' is when a device is used to fool the car into thinking the key is close by. This unlocks the car and starts the ignition.

Thieves only need to be within a few metres of a car key to capture the signal, even if it’s inside a property, meaning that even if your car and home are secure, thieves can still unlock, start and steal the car.

Dorset Police recommend that to prevent this type of theft, when you are at home keep your car key, and the spare, well away from the car, put the keys in a screened or signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag and check if the bag or pouch is still working every few months.

Additionally car owners can re-programme their keys if they buy a second hand car and turn off wireless signals on the fob when it's not being used.