There has been another recent spate of thefts in the region of exhausts and catalytic convertors from goods vehicles. Over recent years there has been a noticeable increase in thefts of catalytic converters – it seems that thieves are simply cutting the catalytic converter out of the exhaust pipe of parked vehicles and selling them to scrap metal dealers.

Goods vehicles and 4x4’s are particularly vulnerable as the converters are more accessible and, because they tend to have larger engines, they contain more of the precious metals too.

The precious metals can't be physically removed from the ceramic honeycomb which must instead undergo a chemical process known as 'carbochlorination' – generally abroad in countries such as China, Poland, Canada and Latvia.

Once an unmarked converter has been removed from a vehicle it's quite difficult to match it to that vehicle as there aren't any distinguishing marks.
“We have seen in increase ourselves in the last few weeks of theft claims of this nature on fleet policies, especially from goods vehicles.”

Police have warned that these thefts are on the increase again and are urging owners of commercial vehicles and 4x4s to be vigilant and carry out regular safety checks.