Warning after Dorset catalytic converter thefts
Dorset Police have issued safety advice following a spate of incidents
Advice is being issued to car owners, particularly those of Honda cars Jazz and CRV models, across Dorset following an increase in catalytic converter thefts in the county.
The theft is closely linked to prices of Rhodium and Palladium which are found in the converters.
Dorset Police say the prices of these metals has increased to £500 since 2020 and this is what is believed to have contributed to the number of thefts increasing.
They can be stolen within a few minutes by using just a few basic tools.
CAT CONVERTER STOLEN IN DORCHESTER
On Wednesday a catalytic converter was taken from a vehicle parked in Dorchester's Top O'Town car park. A spokesperson from Dorset Police said:
"We received a report at 5.49pm on Wednesday 212st April 2021 that a catalytic converter had been stolen from a vehicle.
"It had been parked in the Top O’Town car park in Dorchester between 8.30am and 5.30pm that day.
"Officers are carrying out enquiries, including CCTV enquiries. No arrests have been made at this stage."
'HOW TO KEEP YOUR CAR SAFE'
- Find out where your cat converter is located on your car; if it’s at the front of your car, park with the bonnet towards a wall if possible
- If it’s at the back, park it with your exhaust to the wall
- If parking in a public car park, consider parking alongside other cars and incorporating wall
- Avoid parking your vehicle half on the pavement and half on the road, as this may make it easier for get under your car
- If your catalytic converter is bolted on, you can ask for your local garage to weld the bolts to make it more difficult to remove
- Alternatively, you can also etch a serial number on the converter so that if it is stolen and then recovered, we can get your car converter back to you
- You can even purchase a ‘cage clamp’ which is a cage device that locks in around the converter to make it more difficult to remove
- Speak to your dealership or garage about the possibility of adding a tilt sensor that will activate the alarm should any thief try to jack the vehicle up to steal the converter on residents to take steps to protect your vehicle from catalytic converter thefts.
If you've been a victim or witness any suspicious activity in the area, please report it on the police website or by calling 101.