CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD

The present disclosure relates to a control system () having one or more controller () for controlling a lock mechanism (-) associated with an aperture closure member (-) of a vehicle (). The control system () is configured to communicate with two or more portable devices (-). The control system () identifies a change in the operating state of an aperture closure member (-), and communicates with the two or more portable devices (-) to determine a location of the two or more portable devices (-) in dependence on identification of the change in the operating state of the aperture closure member (-). The control system () classifies a first one of the two or more portable devices (-) located within a target zone (TZ-n) as a confirmed portable device (-); and tracks the location of the confirmed portable device (-). The control system () outputs a control signal (CS-n) for locking the lock mechanism (-) in dependence on a determination that the location of the confirmed portable device (-) changes from a location inside the target zone (TZ-n) to a location outside the target zone (TZ-n). The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle () incorporating the control system (); and a method of controlling a lock mechanism (-) associated with an aperture closure member (-n).