Warning after New Forest catalytic converter thefts
Hampshire Police have issued safety advice following a spate of incidents
Advice is being issued to car owners across Hampshire following an increase in catalytic converter thefts in The New Forest.
The theft is closely linked to prices of Rhodium and Palladium which are found in the converters.
Hampshire Police say the prices of these metals has increased 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.
'HOW TO KEEP YOUR CAR SAFE'
- Find out where your catalytic 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.
- If you see someone acting suspiciously under a vehicle, report it. Obtain as much information as possible, including any vehicle registrations.
If your cat converter is stolen report it online via the Hampshire Constabulary website.
The New Forest local neighbourhood policing teams are continuing to monitor reports and would like to ask local residents to report any suspicious activity to them.
Call 101, or report it online using the Hampshire Constabulary website's reporting tool.