DSIT has opened a four‑week call for evidence on radiofrequency ‘signal jammers’, flagging a potential move to make possession illegal. The department says criminals are disguising devices to disable video doorbells, block shop security tags and bypass vehicle trackers. The window runs from 10 April 2026 to 11:59pm on 8 May 2026. (gov.uk)

For businesses, this is not niche tech policy; it is a balance‑sheet issue. In stores, tag‑blocking flows straight into shrink. For trades and fleets, van alarms and trackers can be sidelined, letting thieves empty vehicles in minutes. For logistics, any interference with GPS tracking or time stamps can trigger disputes and delays, with cash flow taking the first hit.

The macro risk is the UK’s dependence on positioning, navigation and timing. A UK Space Agency‑commissioned update in 2023 estimates a seven‑day GNSS disruption would cost roughly £7.6bn, with emergency services, maritime and road transport bearing most of the losses. (gov.uk)

The legal picture is shifting. The Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 already outlaws using non‑compliant equipment, but proving ‘use’ can be hard. Ministers are now testing support for a possession offence, while the Home Office’s Crime and Policing Bill separately targets electronic devices used in vehicle theft. (gov.uk)

DSIT’s call asks for evidence on harms from illegal use, how effective current law and enforcement are, and whether changes around possession are needed, while also clarifying legitimate uses in secure settings. Responses will inform policy development after the window closes. (gov.uk)

SME lens: a three‑van plumbing firm can lose a fortnight’s work if vehicles are stripped overnight; if a jammer also defeats trackers, recovery chances fall and excess payments kick in. Directors should scrutinise ‘tools in transit’ cover, tracker specifications with fallback options, and overnight storage, and keep a clean incident log to support renewals later in the year.

Retailers face similar trade‑offs. Upgrading hard tags and exit gates, testing store kit against interference, and improving staff response when tags or handhelds go dark can reduce exposure. Escalating incidents quickly to local police or business improvement districts helps build the evidence base and improves recovery odds.

Telecoms and infrastructure operators sit in the middle. Jammers can spill into local 4G/5G experience and time‑sync systems that keep services running, so operators will push for clearer seizure powers and targeted detection in high‑risk zones such as depots and retail parks. That implies some compliance spend, but also a stronger deterrent if simple possession is outlawed.

For insurers, the near‑term picture is mixed. A possession ban could strengthen enforcement and claims containment over time, yet 2026 loss ratios will still reflect today’s exposure-especially for fleets, contractors and high‑theft retail. Expect more conditional pricing tied to tracker quality, controlled parking, and evidence of post‑incident hardening.

The politics and timing matter. This is a call for evidence, not a bill text. DSIT says any measures will be evidence‑led. Businesses have a short window-until 11:59pm on 8 May 2026-to feed in practical insight on how criminals deploy jammers and what would really help on the ground. (gov.uk)