Police are once again asking people to be on the alert for thieves stealing catalytic converters from vehicles across Bath and North East Somerset.
Criminals take catalytic converters, known as ‘cats’, because of current high prices of the metals inside them.
In the past week there have been seven reported thefts of ‘cats’ in the Clutton, Midsomer Norton and Radstock area. Most have happened overnight.
Neighbourhood police are carrying out targeted patrols of the affected areas and have been visiting local scrap merchants to remind them of their responsibilities.
Under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, dealers must request photographic identification and proof of address from people selling scrap to them.
The law also bars cash payments for scrap.
The neighbourhood team also plans to write offering crime prevention advice to local people who are the registered keepers of affected vehicles.
Chief Inspector Norman Pascal, of the Bath and North East Somerset Local Policing Area, said: “Thieves have targeted people carriers, vans and 4×4 vehicles, which have high ground clearance. They can easily get underneath and it only takes them a few minutes to cut or unbolt the catalytic converter.”
He added: “We were really grateful for a call in the early hours of Friday 16 May reporting two men acting suspiciously under a car in Clutton. The suspects made off when they realised they had been spotted, and despite a search of the area involving the police helicopter we were unable to trace them.
“If you see someone acting suspiciously around a car or van it’s really important to call us straight away on 999, giving us a description of the suspect and any vehicle they are using.”
You can help to deter thieves by:
- Parking your vehicle in a secure garage overnight;
- Parking where neighbours and passers-by could see anyone tampering with the vehicle;
- Installing motion activated security lighting;
- Marking your catalytic converter with a commercially-available etching kit or fitting a ‘cat’ clamp or alarm – search online for ‘secured by design’ to find out more. This can also help police trace the item and prove it’s stolen, helping bring the thief or handler to justice.
You can find much more crime prevention information on Avon and Somerset Police’s website, or by calling your neighbourhood team on 101.