Call 999 to report catalytic converter thefts

Vehicle owners are being urged to call 999 if they see or hear a catalytic converter theft taking place.

The number of catalytic converters stolen from cars across the county has risen by 141% in the past four years.

Last year (2022) thieves stole 758 catalytic converters from vehicles in Cambridgeshire, an average of two a day, compared to 314 in 2019.

With 133 further thefts recorded so far this year (up until 31st Jan) – more than four a day – police are urging residents to call in any suspicious behaviour around vehicles so it can be acted upon as soon as possible.

Detective Inspector Dan Cooper, who is leading the force’s response to the theft of catalytic converts, said: “We believe there are several groups of people coming from out of the county to carry out these thefts.

“It takes just minutes for these people to remove a catalytic converter and on many occasions victims are unaware their vehicle has been targeted even though it was sat on their driveway.

“We’ve recently seen an increase in people reporting the thefts as they are happening which on some occasions has resulted in arrests and seizures of stolen catalytic converters.

“We’re urging people to look out for vehicles jacked up (especially in the middle of the vehicle) and listen out for the sound of metal being cut. There may be a vehicle nearby with the engine running and two or three people involved.

“Please don’t approach this people, they have been known to be violent in the past and may even be carrying weapons. Instead, call us and share the vehicle number plate and any other details that could help us.”

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 it can take less then two minutes and are not easily identifiable when sold on for the metals found inside them.

Toyotas and Hondas have been predominantly targeted but other vehicles including Lexus, Mercedes, Mazda and Volkswagen have also been singled out.

In response to 999 calls, police have made arrests and there are numerous investigations ongoing. Targeted days and weeks of patrols are being carried out and police have visited scrap dealers and offered free catalytic converter marking to almost 300 vehicles in Peterborough and Huntingdon.

Anyone who sees anything suspicious is asked to call 999.

Read more information about catalytic converter theft.