Cat converter marking sessions a great success
Wednesday, 2nd March 2011.
Dozens of truck and van drivers have protected their vehicles from catalytic converter thieves during marking sessions run by Suffolk Constabulary.
Last week sessions were held all over west Suffolk, including two in Haverhill. Officers from Safer Neighbourhood Teams marked the catalytic converters by engraving or stamping them and marking with heat-resistant paint.
Det Insp Andy Footer co-ordinated the sessions, and was very pleased with the turn-out. He said: “Letters were sent to owners of the types of vehicles that catalytic converter thieves are targeting, and we got a good response, with some drivers booking slots and others turning up on the day.
“A large number of the trucks were Ford Rangers, which have particularly been hit over the past few months. Those who attended the sessions got their registration number marked onto the catalytic converter, and heat-proof paint was also applied.
“Officers who stop suspicious vehicles containing car parts can now check for these two markings, as can scrap metal dealers when they are receiving parts for sale. All drivers also received signs for their vehicles to warn thieves that their catalytic converter is identifiable.”
Over the past two weeks, eight catalytic converters have been stolen in Suffolk – two from Newmarket and six from the Woodbridge area. DI Footer added that drivers elsewhere in Suffolk will also be getting the opportunity to protect their catalytic converters.
“We will be running these sessions again, both in west Suffolk and other parts of the county. If a thief spots one of the signs in a van window stating the catalytic converter is marked they may be deterred, so I want to give as many people as possible the chance to get theirs marked and beat the criminals.”
Last week sessions were held all over west Suffolk, including two in Haverhill. Officers from Safer Neighbourhood Teams marked the catalytic converters by engraving or stamping them and marking with heat-resistant paint.
Det Insp Andy Footer co-ordinated the sessions, and was very pleased with the turn-out. He said: “Letters were sent to owners of the types of vehicles that catalytic converter thieves are targeting, and we got a good response, with some drivers booking slots and others turning up on the day.
“A large number of the trucks were Ford Rangers, which have particularly been hit over the past few months. Those who attended the sessions got their registration number marked onto the catalytic converter, and heat-proof paint was also applied.
“Officers who stop suspicious vehicles containing car parts can now check for these two markings, as can scrap metal dealers when they are receiving parts for sale. All drivers also received signs for their vehicles to warn thieves that their catalytic converter is identifiable.”
Over the past two weeks, eight catalytic converters have been stolen in Suffolk – two from Newmarket and six from the Woodbridge area. DI Footer added that drivers elsewhere in Suffolk will also be getting the opportunity to protect their catalytic converters.
“We will be running these sessions again, both in west Suffolk and other parts of the county. If a thief spots one of the signs in a van window stating the catalytic converter is marked they may be deterred, so I want to give as many people as possible the chance to get theirs marked and beat the criminals.”
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