Thieves steal seven catalytic converters from car parks in a day

People are being urged to look out for suspicious activity in car parks after seven catalytic converters were stolen in a day.

On Friday (2 September) thieves targeted vehicles parked in Trumpington Park and Ride, St Ives Park and Ride, Dobbies Garden Centre in Huntingdon, Hartford Marina and a car park in Godmanchester.

Catalytic converters are found in the exhaust system of every car and reduce the output of toxic gases and pollutants. Stealing them has become popular because they are not easily identifiable and can be sold on for the precious metals found inside them.

It takes just minutes for thieves to remove them and on many occasions, victims are unaware their vehicle has even been targeted.

Detective Chief Inspector Alan Page said: “We would like to hear from anyone who was at any of those locations on Friday and may have noticed any suspicious behaviour or vehicles.

“These offences are taking place during daylight hours. If you are using a public car park, business car park or a Park & Ride site please be aware of people jacking up vehicles or laying underneath them with a running vehicle parked nearby. Call us on 999 with descriptions of those involved and the make/model of the car they are using.”

Between 1 January and 5 September there have been 312 catalytic converter thefts in the south of the county (East Cambs, Huntingdonshire, Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire).

Over the past two months Cambridgeshire Constabulary has marked the catalytic converters on around 200 vehicles so they can be identified if stolen and sold on.

The Constabulary also has dedicated officers patrolling across the county and ready to respond if a catalytic converter theft in progress is called in.

Further information about catalytic converter theft on our website.