Stopping Catalytic Converter TheftKingston’s progress

The theft of catalytic converters from people’s cars has become a big problem in recent years – in our area and across the country. It’s been an issue raised with me by a worryingly high number of residents when I knock on doors across the Borough – and so it’s been an issue I’ve then been raising with the police and others.

And the purpose of this article is to thank Kingston’s police for the excellent pro-active work they’ve been doing to tackle this – and to encourage people to consider following others in taking action to defeat this damaging crime.

What is this catalytic converter theft problem?

Let’s start with the basics. Catalytic converters are devices fitted to modern cars to help tackle air pollution. “Cats” change harmful substances in a car’s exhaust gasses, such as carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide and hydrocarbons, into less harmful substances like carbon dioxide and water vapour by means of chemical reactions.

Yet catalytic converters contain precious metals - like palladium, rhodium and platinum. These have an intrinsic value that means they’re worth salvaging and recycling when a car is scrapped.

Unfortunately, these precious metals also make catalytic converters a target for thieves. And criminal gangs have become devious and efficient in targeting vans and cars – often when they are parked in people’s drives! – and cutting the catalytic converters from beneath the vehicles.

And this isn’t an unusual crime any longer. Over the last 3 years across the UK, nearly 100,000 cases of catalytic converter theft have been recorded – and people suspect the true figures are much higher. These emissions devices can fetch over £600 on the black market.

And the poor motorist? Left with repair bills often over £1,000 to replace the stolen catalytic converter. And the hassle and disruption too.

This crime so often hits the self-employed – small businesses reliant on transit vans and similar vehicles. Ultimately this crime hits every motorist, as our insurance premiums are pushed ever higher.

The police response – and Kingston’s success

With London Boroughs being hit the hardest, the Met Police have been cracking down on this crime for several years now.

by Sir Edward Davey, M.P

From special operations to capture the criminal gangs at the centre of it – like the successful Operation Basswood in 2021 – to working to educate and enforce against the scrap metal dealers, the Met have become increasingly sophisticated in their fight back. Car manufacturers are gradually changing the designs of vehicles. And there’s plenty of online advice now, to help people beat these criminals – check out advice from organisations like the AA or RAC for example.

Another initiative to beat these criminals is the “Catalytic Converter Marking Project”. This aims both to deter the thieves and help police identify the property if it gets stolen

Using specially designed kits, people can get the “cat” on their car marked with “SmartWater” – and deterrent labels can also be attached to the vehicle, sending out a warning to would-be thieves. The covert markings on a catalytic converter using SmartWater are logged on a national database, with a unique ID number, and this is helping the police both to trace the stolen cat, but also build up their intelligence and evidence to prosecute.

And Kingston Police have been helping local people to get their catalytic converters marked in a project that began last November. Their first event was held at Holyfield School when 40 vehicles were booked in following advertising on social media, and interest and demand for their help has just rocketed since. An excellent local officer, Ashley Squire, has been spearheading efforts both to get hold of more marking kits and to organise marking events.

To date more than 6 events have been held with a total of 227 vehicles marked – and these figures are rising fast. Vehicles that are particularly vulnerable to this crime – like Toyota, Lexus, Honda and BMW 1Series/3Series –have been targeted for help and at the marking events the police have been offering more crime prevention advice. And following feedback from the public, the police have added bike marking to this project. Kingston’s police are organising more of these local catalytic converter marking events – so do look out on social media and elsewhere for details.

And the stats show this crime prevention initiative works! In the 5 months to March 2023, after the project was kicked off, catalytic converter theft was down an amazing 53% - from 93 thefts to 44 – with January to March 2023 registering only 4 thefts compared to 43 the year before. Working together with the police, we can deter and catch these criminals - and cut crime across our community.

Okay Houston, we’ve had a problem here.

John

It is already tomorrow in Australia.