Huge rise in catalytic converter thefts
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7th Oct 2019
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There has been a huge rise in catalytic converters being stolen from cars in 2019. For the first six months of 2019, the number of thefts of catalytic converters jumped to 2,894, compared to 1,674 thefts for all of 2018.
In a car's exhaust system, catalytic converters clean up harmful gases before they exit the exhaust pipe. The prices of certain precious metals have skyrocketed in the last 18 months - palladium is now worth £1,300/oz, while rhodium goes for £4,000/oz.
The police have urged vehicle owners "to be vigilant" and consider taking safety measures to protect their cars.
In a car's exhaust system, catalytic converters clean up harmful gases before they exit the exhaust pipe. The prices of certain precious metals have skyrocketed in the last 18 months - palladium is now worth £1,300/oz, while rhodium goes for £4,000/oz.
The police have urged vehicle owners "to be vigilant" and consider taking safety measures to protect their cars.
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In order to steal a catalytic converter, thieves slide under the car and use high-powered cutting tools to detach the box from the pipes around it.
The cars that are most often targeted are hybrid vehicles. Precious metals must be used because the converters have to work efficiently enough to meet emissions standards. |
A Catalytic Converter is a part of the vehicles exhaust system.
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You may not be able to tell your catalytic converter was stolen by looking at your car, but you will know as soon as you start it. When the catalytic converter has been removed, your vehicle makes a loud, roaring sound, much like that of a motorcycle.
Shomrim have received an overwhelming number of calls from Toyota Prius, Honda Jazz and Lexus Hybrid owners reporting their vehicles have been targeted in Barnet. Shomrim urge car owners and businesses to take protective steps to make the catalytic converters harder to steal.
Shomrim have received an overwhelming number of calls from Toyota Prius, Honda Jazz and Lexus Hybrid owners reporting their vehicles have been targeted in Barnet. Shomrim urge car owners and businesses to take protective steps to make the catalytic converters harder to steal.
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A professional gang can jack up a car and use a battery-powered steel cutter or angle-grinder to steal the catalytic converter within 50 seconds.
While thieves might make £300 from a catalytic converter, car owners can be left with a repair bill of up to £2,000. |
What can you do about it?
The Police has advised that vehicle owners consider taking the following safety measures:
We urge the community to remain vigilant and immediately report if you see of people taking interest by looking under cars or jacking up a car in the area. If you can, take pictures of the suspects and the vehicles the suspects are using. This will then assist Police in tracking the suspects even if the make a quick get away.
The Police has advised that vehicle owners consider taking the following safety measures:
- Mark catalytic converters with a serial number to make it distinctive
- Place a protective covering over the catalytic converter
- Install CCTV and alarms
- One of the easiest ways to deter thieves is called “defensive parking” against a wall or by another lower-slung vehicle to make it more difficult to reach under.
- Businesses or even homeowners with high numbers of vehicles parked overnight are recommended to deploy CCTV, secure perimeter fencing and security lighting which stays on from dusk until dawn.
We urge the community to remain vigilant and immediately report if you see of people taking interest by looking under cars or jacking up a car in the area. If you can, take pictures of the suspects and the vehicles the suspects are using. This will then assist Police in tracking the suspects even if the make a quick get away.
To report an incident please call our 24 hr hotline on
0300 999 1234
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