Police warning after new crime wave

 

Rising scrap prices have seen Montgomeryshire targeted by thieves who have turned their attention to private and commercial vehicles, with a firm in Newtown becoming the latest victim and joining similar recent thefts in Welshpool.

 

“Some catalytic convertors are simply bolted together and a thief armed with a simple spanner or socket can easily remove this part of the exhaust system,” said Inspector Brian Jones of the Communities and Partnerships Department. “And it can take only a matter of minutes to remove one.

 

“Offences have been committed in public car parks, garage forecourts, vehicle compounds and residential roads. But research suggests that dealerships and commercial companies are most at risk.”

 

Mywelshpool has teamed up with Dyfed-Powys Police to offer the following advice to prevent this type of theft as well as to relocate stolen property.

 

Etching a catalytic converter with a vehicle registration mark will help police track a stolen converter to a specific victim. By overtly advertising that a vehicle is protected by property marking may also deter offenders as it will potentially reduce the opportunities for selling on the converters at reputable scrap metal dealers. More information on ID etching can be found at www.retainagroup.co.uk.

 

If a catalytic converter is a “bolt on” it is possible to have the bolts welded shut. This is only a deterrent to the lowest grade of catalytic converter thief working with a spanner but may still be enough of a deterrent to help prevent a theft.

Protective coverings are quite expensive but make it much more difficult for the saw wielding thief to steal catalytic converters.

 

If it is possible to block access to high-clearance vehicles by using natural structures such as walls and other low clearance vehicles to help prevent access underneath. Think where you park and try to limit access whilst maintaining any natural surveillance there may be. Consider allowing employees to take vehicles home to more secure parking locations than industrial estates.

 

Good security lighting can make vehicles more visible and improve natural surveillance. External dusk to dawn lighting which automatically stays on during the hours of darkness and goes off as it starts to get light in areas where there is good surveillance from other people, makes the target less attractive.

 

The installation of CCTV to cover parking areas can help reduce theft. Remote monitored CCTV could even stop catalytic converter theft before it happens if the monitoring centre can notify the police in real time as an offence takes place. The use of driveway alarms can help alert you to anyone trespassing on your property

 

Fencing is the first line of defence for most compounds and regular checks of fences for damage, ensuring any holes etc are quickly and properly repaired will help deter the opportunistic catalytic thief. There are many types of security fencing and increasing the protection afforded by this feature will help prevent or at least slow down the more determined thief.