Rural & Business Crime Officers from North Worcestershire have been working with local garages in an attempt to stem the rise in thefts in the area by providing free catalytic converter marking kits.
These kits provide each cat with a unique reference number which will help officers in identifying stolen parts.
Kwik Fit and Halfords in Redditch and Kidderminster are helping raise awareness of the issue; encouraging reporting of thefts to the police as well as offering the service free of charge to customers.
PC Dale Tomkins from the Rual & Business Crime team said: “We actively investigate any reports of catalytic converter theft and here are also steps motorists can take to try and reduce the chance of your vehicle being targeted by thieves. If you do notice any suspicious activity where individuals are pulling up next to cars and interfering with a vehicle we would ask you to get in touch with us.
"It can take a thief less than three minutes to remove a catalytic converter from its housing on the car exhaust pipe but below are a number of ways you can help protect your property.”
• Keep your vehicle in a garage if you can
• If you park it on a driveway, install motion activated lighting
• Otherwise, park in a well-lit, populated area
• Locks are also available that can be fitted to your converter
• Mark you catalytic converter with SmartWater
For crimes in progress call 999. For non-emergencies you can report to us online at www.westmercia.police.uk/report.
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