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Rise In Car Catalytic Convertor Thefts Prompts Security Advice From Police

Drivers are being urged to take extra precautions following a huge rise in catalytic convertor thefts.

Police and motoring organisations say the soaring number of incidents comes as gangs target the devices for valuable metals which have shot up in value over recent years.

During the first half of 2019 there were 2,894 thefts in London alone – compared with just 1,674 across the whole of the previous year.

Police forces across the country are dealing with a rise in the number of incidents. Park and Ride sites were targeted last year in Nottinghamshire and an NHS hospital car park in Stockport was hit in January for the second time in three months.

Manufacturers are taking the issue seriously and are working to improve catalytic converter security in their latest models.

Catalytic convertors, attached to the exhaust system, contain precious metals such as rhodium and palladium which get rid of damaging gases before they are emitted. Thieves strike by getting under a vehicle, using cutting gear to remove the devices. They can strike and be gone in a matter of minutes.

Higher chassis cars such as 4x4s or SUVs are among the most likely to be targeted, although other vehicles can be hit as well. Hybrids are also attractive because they have two power sources which means their convertors are likely to suffer less corrosion.

There are a range of measures which police say can make life more difficult for thieves.

For fleet operators, it is a good idea to park lower clearance vehicles in front of the higher clearance cars to make access underneath them more difficult.

In an ideal world, motorists should park up in a locked garage. If that’s not possible, a good alternative is to leave your car in a well-lit area where there are lots of people.

Try to park up with you exhaust side close to a fence, kerb or wall. This makes it harder for thieves to get under your vehicle to cut off the box with your catalytic convertor in it.

On narrow streets it is tempting to park with two wheels on the pavement. Avoid this, as it may make access to the converter easier.

In public car parks try to pull up with the bonnet facing a wall. With the convertor at the front of the car, this will make it harder for thieves to access it. It’s also worth parking near other cars to make it awkward for people to slide under your vehicle.

Your local garage can weld your catalytic convertor on, if it is currently attached by bolts, and you can also ask to have a serial number etched onto it.

Cages are available to clamp around the convertor to make it harder to take off. Garages may be able to fit a tilt sensor which would raise the alarm if a thief targets your vehicle by jacking it up. Police urge people to report anybody acting suspiciously near vehicles. If it is safe to do so, try to get as much information as possible, such as any vehicle registration.

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Rise In Car Catalytic Convertor Thefts Prompts Security Advice From Police