“It’s vital that our community tackles it – not just because of the cost and disruption that catalytic converter theft causes to victims, but also because the proceeds often fuel organised crime, like drugs and human trafficking.”
Daisy Cooper MP joined an event run by the British Transport Police (BTP) to learn first-hand how St Albans residents can tackle the theft of catalytic converters from their cars.
St Albans has been identified as an area plagued with some of the highest number of catalytic converter thefts in the country. Designed to reduce toxic emissions from car exhausts, these devices contain a small amount of precious metal that makes them an attractive target for criminals.
In the week from 19 to 25 April, BTP1 conducted a week of action with Home Office forces and partner organisations to raise awareness of catalytic converter thefts and to prosecute the perpetrators.
Daisy met officers at Steven Eagell Toyota in Frogmore, where she saw a demonstration on how to mark and protect catalytic converters. Dave Lewis from SmartWater Group demonstrated the use of a marking kit containing a unique code, which is registered to an individual vehicle and also provides traceability as well as serving as an effective deterrent.
BTP superintendent and tactical lead for metal crime Mark Cleland and CPO Pearl Devonshire from Hertfordshire Police also attended to talk through operational activity for this week of action.
Daisy was briefed on how metal crime is being tackled in her constituency of St Albans, and heard how the issue is being pursued at a tactical and national level, with an emphasis on disrupting groups of organised criminals.
Jamie Eagell, general manager at Steven Eagell, said: “Huge thanks to Daisy for helping shine a light on what’s a far bigger issue than many people realise. When a catalytic converter is stolen, it’s not just the theft of an item – it has huge financial and emotional repercussions for the victims and takes up valuable police time. Many thanks also to the British Transport Police for organising this action week.”
BTP Tactical Lead for Metal Crime, superintendent Mark Cleland, said: “As part of the national catalytic converter week of action we had the pleasure to explain to MP Daisy Cooper the issues surrounding the crime in the UK. This included the fantastic work that Toyota had already done to design out the crime in their modern vehicles, using products such as Catloc as well as the partnership they have with SmartWater to forensically mark vehicles across the UK as part of the week.
“We discussed how older vehicles of all makes and models are at risk, how we’re working with the scrap metal industry to identify criminality and that all police forces in the UK are actively targeting those who are involved in this type of crime.
“SmartWater demonstrated how catalytic converters were forensically marked and how we could then link criminals and tools to the crime and the stolen property and highlighted how forensic marking was an excellent crime prevention measure. This was a fantastic opportunity to raise the profile and underlying issues of catalytic converter crime in the constituency and show how Hertfordshire Police’s approach under Operation Feline was making a significant impact in the area.”
Inspector Nicki Dean, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Crime Reduction Unit, said: “Over the past year we have seen a big rise in thieves targeting catalytic convertors. Getting them security marked is a good way to deter this.
“To combat this rise in thefts we launched Operation Feline and teamed up with garages around the county to offer free catalytic converter security marking. We would also urge the public to follow our advice, remain vigilant and report incidents of suspected catalytic converter theft, particularly where people are trying to get under cars in public car parks or on public roads. If you see this happening, please call 999 immediately.”
Daisy Cooper MP said: “Far too many residents have had their catalytic converters stolen, either from their driveways or when they are out and about. It’s vital that our community tackles it – not just because of the cost and disruption that catalytic converter theft causes to victims, but also because the proceeds often fuel organised crime, like drugs and human trafficking.
“A catalytic converter marker was fitted on my own car when I was there, along with a sticker in my car window warning would-be criminals that any theft can be traced back to them. I was surprised how quick and easy it was. “I urge St Albans residents to take up the offer of free catalytic converter marking from one of the participating garages[i], all of which are listed on the Hertfordshire police website and to take whatever additional measures they can to tackle the theft of catalytic converters from cars in our area.”