Increase in catalytic converter thefts in New Forest

Since September Hampshire Police have recorded 78 thefts across the county with the New Forest, Romsey, Southampton and Waterlooville all hot spots.

Cataytlic converter theft is closely linked to prices of Rhodium and Palladium which are contained within the converters.

Hampshire Police say the theft of these metals has increased during 2020 which is what the force belives has contributed to an increase in thefts.

Owners of two particular car makes are being warned to be vigiliant:

"We are seeing that cat converters on hybrid Hondas and Toyotas are particularly vulnerable because their converters are cleaner and therefore the valuable metals contained within them are less likely to corrode. They are also easier to access on hybrid vehicles."

EASILY STOLEN

Catalytic converters can be stolen within a few minutes by using just a few basic tools, but there are ways you can protect your vehicle if, like many people, you don’t have access to a garage:

• 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

Hampshire Police are also urging people to report any dodgy incidents:

"If you see someone acting suspiciously under a vehicle, report it. Obtain as much information as possible, including any vehicle registrations. In the event your cat converter is stolen, please report online via our website and include any markings so that we can identify your converter if it’s recovered. The local neighbourhood policing teams in your area are monitoring reports and would like to ask people to report any suspicious activity."