Warning issued after spate of catalytic converter thefts in Wrexham

A police warning has been issued following a series of catalytic converter thefts in Wrexham.

The device is commonly fitted onto vehicle exhausts to help reduce the amount of dangerous gas being emitted.

However they are often targets for thieves, who remove the catalytic converters to sell online, through scrapyards and in some instances they can be sold online

Hybrid vehicles are some of the commonly targeted, as their metals are more valuable, but any vehicle can be at risk of catalytic converter theft.

NWP Wrexham Town is now urging drivers to take precautions to protect their vehicles:

• To keep your catalytic converter safe, you can ask your car dealer for advice on locks or guards that are approved by the vehicle manufacturer.
• Alternatively, try to make sure your vehicle is parked in a garage overnight or park it in a secure compound.
• If this isn’t possible, park in an area that’s well-lit and overlooked and try to park so that the converter can’t be easily reached by potential thieves.
• You should also register your converter and mark it with a forensic marker, which will make it harder for thieves to dispose of.

Signs a catalytic converter theft is taking place

• A vehicle being raised using a car jack in a car park or residential area
• A loud drilling or cutting sound coming from underneath the vehicle

More information on how you can keep your vehicle safe can be found on the North Wales Police website.