Police in Milton Keynes region combat catalytic converter theft

Thames Valley Police conducted a week of action to prevent further thefts of this kind.
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From April 19, Thames Valley Police officers were part of a nationwide project tackling catalytic converter theft.

Force intelligence teams, roads policing officers and partnering agencies collaborated in a week's worth of initiatives designed to disrupt criminal activity.

Officers shared ideas around dissuading robbers with local garages. This included concepts like installing protective cages or applying a property marking solution such as Smartwater to the catalytic converters, making them less appealing to thieves and easier to trace.

Thames Valley Police launched a week of action against catalytic converter theftThames Valley Police launched a week of action against catalytic converter theft
Thames Valley Police launched a week of action against catalytic converter theft

Detective Superintendent Jim Weems, leading the operation for Thames Valley Police, said: “Catalytic converter theft is on the rise nationally as well as in the Thames Valley due to the increase in price for the precious metals contained within them. Offenders are organised in their execution of the crime and often steal a catalytic converter in minutes.

“This crime has a significant impact on victims who find themselves without their vehicle to get around and often have to join a waiting list to obtain a replacement.

“There are three steps to reducing your risk of falling victim to this type of crime, protect, mark and park: Protect your car by asking your dealer if they can give you any advice on locks or guards that are approved by the vehicle manufacturer and tested to Sold Secure Gold standard.

“Mark your catalytic converter with a forensic marker and register your converter to make it harder for thieves to dispose of. Park your car somewhere well-lit and overlooked, amongst as many cars as possible. Try to park so the converter can't be easily reached, such as close to a wall or fence. Try not to park at the end of the row if there are free spaces."

Visits were made to 92 scrap metal merchants and other businesses that collect and buy metal to share advice on how to spot thieves.

Patrols in areas that have repeatedly been targeted were also carried out and advice was shared with residents and businesses in these areas.

Detective Superintendent Weems added: “This week of action intensified our work along with other forces nationally but this activity is by no means a one-off for us. We regularly carry out operations to disrupt offenders based on the intelligence that we are constantly developing and work that has been conducted this week to prevent these crimes will continue and help us to identify more offenders in the long run.

“I ask the public to continue working with us in reporting any suspicious activity to the police, either online or on 101. If a crime is in progress then always call 999. Together we can beat catalytic converter thieves”