HAMPSHIRE police have issued a warning to motorists in Hart after a number of catalytic converter were stolen.

Three incidents took place in the early hours of December 2 where converters were stolen from cars parked in Addison Gardens, Odiham, Ferndale Road, Church Crookham and Fleet Road, Fleet.

Catalytic converter theft is closely linked to prices of Rhodium and Palladium which are contained within the converters.

The prices of these metals have increased during 2020 and this is what Hampshire police believe has contributed to the number of thefts increasing.

Converters on hybrid Hondas and Toyotas are particularly vulnerable because their converters are cleaner and therefore the valuable metals contained within them are less likely to corrode. They are also easier to access on hybrid vehicles. 

Replacing the part can cost more than £1,000, with the AA reporting that claims can reach as much as £3,000 depending on the damage caused when the part was removed.

Here is what Hampshire Police are advising residents to do:
• Find out where your cat converter is located on your car; if it’s at the front of your car, park with the bonnet towards a wall if possible
• If it’s at the back, park it with your exhaust to the wall
• If parking in a public car park, consider parking alongside other cars and incorporating wall
• Avoid parking your vehicle half on the pavement and half on the road, as this may make it easier for get under your car
• If your catalytic converter is bolted on, you can ask for your local garage to weld the bolts to make it more difficult to remove
• Alternatively, you can also etch a serial number on the converter so that if it is stolen and then recovered, we can get your car converter back to you
• You can even purchase a ‘cage clamp’ which is a cage device that locks in around the converter to make it more difficult to remove
• Speak to your dealership or garage about the possibility of adding a tilt sensor that will activate the alarm should any thief try to jack the vehicle up to steal the converter 
• If you see someone acting suspiciously under a vehicle, report it. Obtain as much information as possible, including any vehicle registrations.
In the event your cat converter is stolen, report it online here.