Hello Resident,

We have received a report of a recent theft of a catalytic converter from a van parked at a business premise in the Halesfield area.

Catalytic converters are devices fitted to vehicle exhausts to reduce the amount of dangerous gases emitted. They are often targeted by thieves as they contain valuable metals and can be removed in less than a minute.

Catalytic converter theft most frequently occurs in car parks, but they can happen anywhere. Thieves may then sell these converters via scrapyards, online, or ship them out of the country.

Hybrid vehicles are most commonly targeted, as their metals are more valuable, but any vehicle can be at risk of catalytic converter theft.

Signs an offence is being committed: 

- 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

The following video links demonstrates a catalytic converter theft in progress: 

https://youtu.be/qybMIkySaXk

To keep your catalytic converter safe, you can ask your car dealer for advice on locks or guards that are approved by the vehicle manufacturer and tested to Sold Secure Gold.

Alternatively, try to make sure your vehicle is parked in a garage overnight, or if you have a commercial vehicle, park it in a secure compound. If this isn’t possible, park in an area that’s well-lit and overlooked and try to park so that the converter can’t be easily reached by potential thieves. Vehicles that sit high above the road are particularly vulnerable.

You should also register your converter and mark it with a forensic marker, which will make it harder for thieves to dispose of.

Visit Secured by Design or Sold Secure Gold for more details.

If your vehicle has a catalytic converter, we may be able to provide you with a forensic marking kit. 

Please reply to this message if you would like to receive a kit to mark your vehicle, with your full name, address, make and model of vehicle to be marked and vehicle registration mark. 

Kind regards,

Sian