Following our news report in March 2021, the theft of catalytic converters has continued to cause concern both locally and across the region with Cambridgeshire Constabulary reporting recently that catalytic converter theft figures have risen by 141% over the past four years.
Footage shared recently into local social media showed thieves at work in the early hours on a vehicle parked on Windmill Lane here in Histon with the theft taking just minutes.
Increased Patrols
Detective Inspector Dan Cooper of the Neighbourhood Support Team is keen to reassure the public that they are focused on stopping these thefts and has issued the following statement:
“There is lots of work going on behind the scenes to stop these gangs and make Cambridgeshire an uncomfortable place for them to target.
“We’re carrying out daily patrols, we’ve got the police helicopter and our Road Policing Unit on standby to assist us and we’re working with scrap dealers to ensure the thieves are not able to sell on any stolen metal. Removing a catalytic converter can take just a few minutes with the thefts tending to be carried out by groups of three or four men wearing balaclavas and gloves jacking up the vehicle and using an angle grinder to cut out the catalytic converter. The public are advised not to approach these people as they are known to carry weapons.
“Instead call us on 999 and provide as much information as you can about the vehicle they are using, in particular the make, model and colour”.
Licence Checks
Catalytic converters are sought after by thieves due to the precious metals found inside them, which they sell to scrap metal dealers. Those metals – rodium, paladium and platinum – are found in the exhaust system of every car and reduce the output of toxic gases and pollutants. Now, as a further measure towards deterring these gangs, officers from the Rural Crime Action Team, working alongside the Environment Agency and Local Authorities, will be making visits to scrap metal merchants across the county.
Officers will be checking that scrap dealers have the correct licences and are keeping a complete record of all scrap metal bought. It is an offence to buy scrap metal for cash and the public is urged to report anyone suspected of dealing illegally in scrap metal either to the police or to their local authority.
Remain Vigilant
👀 If you see a car jacked up
👂 If you hear the sound of metal being cut
❌ It’s likely a cat converter theft is taking place
📱 Dial 999