A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR has warned women to check their cars, handbags and even children’s coats for hidden tracking devices this summer, after new figures revealed a huge rise in stalking reports involving Apple AirTags and GPS trackers.
Police data obtained by The Independent found stalking reports involving AirTags and GPS trackers rose by 896% between 2018 and 2024, while coercive control cases linked to tracking devices increased by 1,034%.
At the same time, search interest around AirTags continues to climb sharply. New google search data, analysed by Private Investigations UK shows searches for “Air tags” reached 360,000 in the last month alone, up 47% year-on-year, as more people search for ways to detect hidden trackers and protect themselves from digital stalking.
The warning comes as Apple faces a fresh wave of lawsuits in the US over alleged misuse of AirTags in stalking cases, with reports claiming internal company documents acknowledged anti-stalking features would “deter” rather than fully prevent malicious use.
Osman Ahmed, private investigator at Private Investigations UK, says concerns around hidden trackers have become one of the fastest-growing issues people now contact investigators about.
He said: “We are now carrying out tracker sweeps on a regular basis. A lot of people still assume this is something rare or extreme, but it is becoming increasingly common in stalking, coercive control and relationship breakdown cases.
“The frightening part is how small these devices are and how easy they are to hide. They can be slipped underneath vehicles, inside handbags, coat linings, gym bags, pushchairs or children’s belongings without someone realising.”
Ahmed says many victims only realise something is wrong after an ex-partner repeatedly appears unexpectedly, references private movements or seems to know where they have been.
He said: “In many cases, people initially think they are being paranoid.
“They start noticing someone turning up where they are, mentioning places they have visited, or somehow knowing details they should not know. Often, the tracker itself is the last thing they suspect.”
Ahmed warns that summer creates more opportunities for hidden trackers to go unnoticed, particularly during festivals, holidays and busy travel periods.
He continued: “Summer is the perfect storm for this kind of behaviour because people are travelling more, leaving bags unattended, sharing vehicles, attending festivals and staying away from home.
“If I was checking my own daughter’s car before she drove to a festival or holiday this summer, there are certain places I would immediately inspect.”
According to Ahmed, the most common places trackers are hidden include:
- underneath wheel arches
- behind number plates
- underneath vehicles using magnets
- inside boot compartments
- underneath seats
- inside handbags and laptop bags
- children’s coats or school bags
- gym bags and luggage
He added: “One of the biggest misconceptions is that you need specialist spy equipment to track someone. You do not.
“Some trackers now cost less than a takeaway meal, which is exactly why this issue is escalating.”
Ahmed says people should take any unknown tracker alert seriously, regardless of whether they use iPhone or Android devices.
He said: “If your phone tells you an unknown tracker is moving with you, do not ignore it.
“Even if it turns out to be harmless, it is always worth checking properly, especially if you already feel unsafe or someone has been behaving obsessively towards you.”
He also warned that many people do not realise placing a tracker on somebody without consent can amount to stalking or harassment under UK law.
He said: “A lot of people wrongly think hidden trackers exist in some kind of legal grey area. They do not.
“If somebody is using a tracking device to monitor a partner, ex-partner or another person without consent, that can absolutely form part of stalking or coercive control offences under UK law.”
Ahmed advises anyone who discovers a tracker not to immediately destroy it or confront the suspected person involved.
He said: “If somebody finds a tracker, the most important thing is preserving evidence and protecting personal safety.
“Take photographs, screenshot any alerts, note where the device was found and contact police if you feel at risk.
“In serious cases involving domestic abuse or stalking, confronting the person directly can escalate the situation.”
Private Investigations UK is advising people concerned about hidden trackers to:
- check phones for unknown tracking alerts
- inspect vehicles physically, including underneath wheel arches
- check bags, coats and luggage regularly
- update phone software
- document evidence if a device is found
- contact police if they feel unsafe
- seek specialist domestic abuse or stalking support where needed
Ahmed added: “Technology has made stalking easier, cheaper and harder to spot than ever before.
“A hidden tracker might look like a small piece of technology, but in the wrong hands it becomes a tool of intimidation and control.”
