Catalytic converters are devices fitted to vehicle exhausts to reduce the number of dangerous gases emitted.
Targeted by thieves as they contain valuable metals and can be removed in less than a minute.
What to look out for –
• a vehicle being raised using a car jack in a car park or residential area.
• a loud drilling or cutting sound coming from underneath the vehicle.
How to help prevent it –
• Register your converter and mark it with a forensic marker, which will make it harder for thieves to dispose of.
• Park your car in a well lit and overlooked location.
• Make the front of your vehicle difficult to access – parking it front end first rather than reverse parking. Park it close to a wall or another vehicle.
The thief needs space to jack the vehicle so don’t give them any!
Watch the video below to see what a catalytic converter theft looks like –
PCSO Neil