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Capture cars deployed to snare metal thieves

Updated on 12th October 2012

Owners of vehicles most vulnerable to catalytic converter thieves are being invited to have them security marked at a garage in Newark.

Motorists who drive 4x4 vehicles and Mercedes Sprinter vans from the Newark and Sherwood area can attend the catalytic converter marking session at Tanvic Tyres, in Appleton Gate, Newark tomorrow (Saturday 13 October 2012) between 8.30am and 11.30pm.

Catalytic converters convert harmful emissions from cars to less toxic substances and are connected to the exhaust underneath vehicles. This means vehicles with a raised suspension, such as four-wheel-drives, are more vulnerable.

Chief Inspector Sean Anderson said: “Since the beginning of October, 20 catalytic converters have been stolen from vehicles across the district, and most of these were four-wheel-drive vehicles such as Ford Rangers, Mitsubishi Shoguns and Toyota Land Cruisers.

“Most thefts have occurred overnight and both vehicles in residential streets and driveways, those in business compounds have been hit. In one incident, four converters were stolen in one night.

“In response, we have our capture cars out in the area. They are fitted with recording and tracking equipment and if a thief tampers with the car or the cat converter they will be caught.

“We have also directed extra foot and car patrols to hotspot areas to deter criminals and reassure the community.

“My message to thieves out there is, ‘Don’t bother, because we are watching.”

But the police need your help to reduce the opportunity for thieves.

Be vigilant. Report suspicious activity, such as people working under vehicles in an ad-hoc manner, especially during hours of darkness, to police.

Where possible, keep your vehicle in a locked garage. If you don’t have a garage, try to make it as difficult as possible for someone to get under your car.

Park it between a wall or fence and another car in a well-lit area. Install a motion sensor alarm to the vehicle, which activates if it is lifted or tilted.

Finally, attend the security marking session tomorrow to register the catalytic converter itself. The marking is being offered fro free and takes ten minutes. Time well spent considering the thousands of pounds you would spend to have your vehicle repaired and the catalytic converter replaced following a theft.

Another session is planned in the next few weeks.

See the Force website for more advice on how to better secure your property at www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/crimereduction/crime_prevention/

If you have experienced an unsolicited approach to buy a catalytic converter or if you have information about the culprits contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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