Appeal renewed to safeguard catalytic converters
Thursday, 13th January 2011.
Police are renewing their appeal to motorists to help fight a spate of catalytic converter thefts from vehicles in the county, including four in Haverhill.
Suffolk police are reappealing for drivers to be vigilant as the spate of catalytic converter thefts reported in December continues.
In December 2010 19 catalytic converters were taken from utility vehicles and vans across the county, including four from Haverhill.
So far in 2011 (to January 10), a further 16 catalytic converters have been reported stolen, including one in Haverhill and one in Thurlow.
The Haverhill theft occurred in Millfields Way at around 9pm on Tuesday, January 4. The catalytic converter was stolen from a black Ford Ranger parked behind houses.
A dark coloured mid-sized car with two men inside were seen nearby at the time and drove away with the boot open.
Catalytic converters have been removed from vehicles parked in a variety of locations, from car parks and driveways to lay-bys or in the street.
Crime reduction officer Bernard Plume has the following advice:
• Private vehicles should be kept in a well-secured garage where possible, and if no garage is available, in a well-lit, public area.
• Vehicles can be parked in such a way as to make access to the catalytic converter difficult, or parallel with another vehicle if you own one.
• Commercial vehicles should also be kept in a locked building or compound.
• Use alarms, lighting, cat clamps/cages and CCTV to deter thieves.
• Catalytic converters can be marked with etching or UV pens, and with SmartWater, which is an invisible liquid with a unique formula that forensically proves where the marked item comes from.
Suffolk police work with scrap metal dealers across the county and officers visit yards to ensure checks are made on all metals brought to the sites for sale, and that any suspicious items or persons are reported.
Any persons or vehicles seen acting suspiciously around other vehicles should be reported to police on 01473 613500. Dial 999 if a crime is in progress.
Suffolk police are reappealing for drivers to be vigilant as the spate of catalytic converter thefts reported in December continues.
In December 2010 19 catalytic converters were taken from utility vehicles and vans across the county, including four from Haverhill.
So far in 2011 (to January 10), a further 16 catalytic converters have been reported stolen, including one in Haverhill and one in Thurlow.
The Haverhill theft occurred in Millfields Way at around 9pm on Tuesday, January 4. The catalytic converter was stolen from a black Ford Ranger parked behind houses.
A dark coloured mid-sized car with two men inside were seen nearby at the time and drove away with the boot open.
Catalytic converters have been removed from vehicles parked in a variety of locations, from car parks and driveways to lay-bys or in the street.
Crime reduction officer Bernard Plume has the following advice:
• Private vehicles should be kept in a well-secured garage where possible, and if no garage is available, in a well-lit, public area.
• Vehicles can be parked in such a way as to make access to the catalytic converter difficult, or parallel with another vehicle if you own one.
• Commercial vehicles should also be kept in a locked building or compound.
• Use alarms, lighting, cat clamps/cages and CCTV to deter thieves.
• Catalytic converters can be marked with etching or UV pens, and with SmartWater, which is an invisible liquid with a unique formula that forensically proves where the marked item comes from.
Suffolk police work with scrap metal dealers across the county and officers visit yards to ensure checks are made on all metals brought to the sites for sale, and that any suspicious items or persons are reported.
Any persons or vehicles seen acting suspiciously around other vehicles should be reported to police on 01473 613500. Dial 999 if a crime is in progress.
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