Theft Of Cat Converters On Increase, Is Your’s Safe?
Sunday, 25. July 2010
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There has been a big upsurge in thefts of cats. No, not fluffy pussies, this isn’t the RSPCA newsletter you know! No I’m talking about theft of catalytic converters. The police have criticised the manufacturers for not doing more to protect the owners of cars by designing cars that help to prevent these thefts. Detective Sergeant Mark Tidy of the Association Of Chief Police Officers Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (AVCIS) pointed out that thefts of cats have increased over the last few months as a result of the huge increase in scrap value of palladium, platinum and rhodium with thieves able to make up to £100 from one cat. There was a similar spate of thefts in 2008 and it was recommended that the cats were part marked at least, as well as make theft much more difficult, but manufacturers don’t seem to have done anything about it. Ford will part mark your cat as an aftermarket service but the only manufacturer who marks cats from new is van maker Iveco. DS Tidy says that if he were to stop a van containing 200 converters in the back with no proof that they have been stolen he cannot take any further action. How bizarre is that, one would assume that with so many cats in the back of a van you should be able to show that you own them? Car breakers have to be registered these days so if you’re not a registered car breaker with a pile of cats in your possession it strikes me a bit bloody suspicious and worthy of a little more investigation. Maybe Kwik Fit should think about offering cat marking as a free service if you bring your car in for tyres or exhaust or maybe MOT stations provide it for a few extra pounds whilst the car is up on a hoist. The most targeted vehicles are 4×4’s and vans along with people carriers, all of which have higher ground clearance although more and more cars are being targeted especially in car parks and on dealer forecourts. Any views or ideas as to how this crime could be stopped? By Graham Hill
