Police in East Hampshire are asking residents to be vigilant following a number of catalytic converter thefts in the district. 

In the early hours of June 20 they received four reports of them, at Sages Lane in Alton, and Petersfield Road, Cranford Road and Marsh Close in Petersfield.

A silver saloon car, possibly with a registration ending XLF, was reportedly seen at these incidents.

Anyone with information or CCTV footage should call the police on 101 quoting reference 44230244652.

Catalytic converter theft is closely linked to the prices of rhodium and palladium, which are contained within the converters. The prices of these metals have increased over recent years and this is what police believe has contributed to the number of thefts increasing.

Catalytic converters can be stolen within a few minutes by using just a few basic tools.

However, there are ways to protect a vehicle if it is not kept in a garage:

  • Find out where the catalytic converter is located; if it is at the front of the car, park with the bonnet towards a wall if possible
  • If it is at the back, park with the exhaust next to a wall
  • If parking in a public car park, consider parking alongside other cars and incorporating a wall
  • Avoid parking half on the pavement and half on the road, as this may make it easier for thieves to get under a car
  • If a catalytic converter is bolted on, ask a garage to weld the bolts to make it more difficult to remove
  • Etch a serial number on the converter so if it is stolen and recovered the police can return it
  • Buy a cage clamp, which locks in around a converter to make it more difficult to remove
  • Ask a dealership or garage about adding a tilt sensor to activate the alarm if a thief tries to jack up a vehicle to steal the converter
  • Anyone seeing someone acting suspiciously under a vehicle should report it, obtaining as much information as possible including vehicle registrations.

Anyone whose catalytic converter is stolen should report it at https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ and include any markings so the police can identify the converter if it is recovered. 

Any scrap metal dealer who has had someone try to sell them a catalytic converter should also tell the police.

Alternatively information can be given anonymously and free to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

For information on keeping a business safe from criminal sellers, visit https://crimestoppers-uk.org/keeping-safe/home-property-safety/catalytic-converter-theft

Police are monitoring reports and continue to encourage people to report any suspicious activity.