This week Police Scotland have received reports of thefts of catalytic converter thefts from vehicles.
The precious metals used in catalytic converters such as rhodium, platinum and palladium means they are an attractive target for thieves. Cars that are most often targeted are hybrid vehicles as these vehicles have two power sources (electric and petrol or diesel) so the catalytic converter is used less frequently – the metals are less likely to corrode, meaning they are worth more and attractive vehicle parts to steal. Vans and SUV’s are particularly at risk, as the ride height makes access to the exhaust system beneath them easier.
Officers have issued the following advice:
To keep your vehicle safe, ask your manufacturer or dealer if they can give you any advice on locks or guards to protect the catalytic converters under the vehicle. Any products will need to be approved by the vehicle manufacturer for use on your vehicle model.
To reduce the risk of this happening to you please consider:
– Parking your car in a locked garage where possible, but if this isn’t an option, parking it in a well-lit and well-populated area.
– Parking close to fences, walls or a kerb with the exhaust being closest to the fence, wall or kerb to make the theft more difficult.
– Avoid parking your vehicle half on the pavement and half on the road, as this may make it easier for thieves to access the catalytic converter.
– If parking in a public car park, consider parking alongside other cars and facing you bonnet towards the wall if possible. With the catalytic converter positioned at the front of your vehicle, this will make it harder for thieves to get close enough to steal it.
– If there is a fleet of vehicles, park the low clearance vehicles to block the high clearance vehicles. This will obstruct access underneath.
– If your catalytic converter is bolted on, you can ask for your local garage to weld the bolts to make it more difficult to remove.
– Alternatively, you can also etch a serial number on the converter.
– You can even purchase a ‘cage clamp’ or ‘cat guard’ which is a cage device that locks in around the converter to make it more difficult to remove.
– Speak to your dealership about the possibility of adding a tilt sensor that will activate the alarm should any thief try to jack the vehicle up to steal the converter.
– If you see someone acting suspiciously under a vehicle, report it to the Police. Obtain as much information as possible, including any vehicle registrations.
For more information on how to prevent vehicle crime, please visit:
The Police Scotland website – http://ow.ly/zzpU50AM3hU
The ‘Secured by Design’ website – http://ow.ly/dJHv50AM3hT
Remember: If you see anyone acting suspiciously near to your property or vehicles please contact the police immediately with as detailed a description as possible of any person(s) or vehicle(s) involved. Please call ‘999’ if an emergency and urgent police assistance is required or 101 to report the matter to the police.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
