Catalytic converter thefts double in three years

Associated Press

Thefts of catalytic converters from cars have more than doubled in less than three years, according to an investigation by the BBC.

Data compiled from 40 police regions across the UK reveal that in 2012 a total of 8,947 catalytic converters thefts were reported, compared to 3,957 similar cases recorded in 2010.

A car’s catalytic converter reduces its harmful exhaust gas emissions by initiating a chemical process to neutralise many toxic substances emitted from the engine.

Replacing a catalytic converter can cost hundreds of pounds

It uses precious metals, including platinum, rhodium and palladium to do so. These are arranged in a honeycomb pattern to increase surface area and improve the materials’ efficiency at cutting unwanted emissions, turning many into water vapour.

But a recent increase in the price of rare and precious metals such as those found in vehicle catalytic converters has lead to an increasing number of thefts from cars.

A total of 24,618 cases have been logged in total between 2010 and June 2013, with each individual theft leaving the victim with an expensive repair bill.

Replacing a catalytic converter can cost anywhere between a few hundred and a thousand pounds, with more work often needed to the exhaust system to rectify damage caused by criminals.

Many areas of the country have experienced a significant rise in this type of crime, with cases in Bedfordshire and South Yorkshire rising by a factor of 10.

Thefts more than tripled in Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Leicestershire over the recorded period.

It’s not just private car owners that have been affected, either. Businessman Jonathan Elvidge’s fleet of delivery vehicles were targeted in December 2011, costing him over £100,000 in repair costs and lost revenue.

A law came into force on 1 October 2013 prohibiting cash payments in return for scrap metal – such as vehicle catalysts – with the aim of making it easier to trace thieves selling stolen metal.

However, the vulnerable part of the exhaust system is still easy to pilfer, so how do you protect your car from having its catalytic converter stolen?

If possible, keep your car in a locked garage overnight. Thieves generally crawl under the vehicle (meaning high-riding off-roaders and commercial vans and pick-up trucks are particularly vulnerable) to saw off the catalyst, so if this is not possible, leave your car in a well-lit area.

Parking your vehicle in view of people – or a CCTV camera if you’re leaving it in a car park over night – can deter criminals.

Wherever you leave your pride and joy, manoeuvring it so it’s more difficult to get underneath the chassis and gain access to the exhaust is also advisable.

By Sean Carson, contributor, MSN Cars