All modern petrol cars have a Catalytic Converter (a Cat). In simple terms, it is part of the car’s exhaust system and helps to remove harmful pollutants in a vehicle’s exhaust. They have had a significant impact in reducing harmful emissions and improving our environment.
But Cats have become valuable to criminals because they contain rare and valuable metals which are used in the catalytic conversion process, in particular Platinum, Palladium and Rhodium. Thieves can jack up a car and saw off the Cat in literally a couple of minutes. They are then sold to crooked scrap metal merchants who can recover the rare metals.
Although the crooks will collect a few pounds for the Cat, the cost to the car owner is considerably more. As well as replacing the Cat there is often significant damage to other parts of the vehicle which can add up to £500 or more. Whilst usually covered by insurance, the excess may make it impractical to claim.
Some Cats are more easily removed than others. The two vehicles most frequently targeted are the pre 2015 Honda Jazz and the Toyota Prius but others include the Lexus RX and Toyota Auris.
It’s difficult to catch these thieves because the process is so quick and usually happens whilst the vehicle is parked, often at night. There have been cases of NHS workers being targeted near hospitals because the criminals know the vehicle will be left for long periods. But there have been a number of thefts locally, notably from the Asda carpark in Burgh Heath.
Police are targeting the scrap metal yards to ensure that illegal Cats are not being traded. They ask that the public be alert for someone working underneath cars in unusual circumstances and reporting such activity to them. Our local community police chief says that crimes get stopped by intelligence and they value public feedback via 101 (999 if it’s actually happening) or via the police website.
If you want to remain anonymous then you can use
CrimeStoppers on 0800-555-111.
So what can be done to prevent your car’s Cat being targeted?
First, find out where your Catalytic converter is located. If you have what is called a “close coupled Cat” which is located right up close to the engine, it is impossible to saw off and theft is unlikely. If, however it’s underneath your car as in our example you may be at risk.
If you have difficulty looking under your car or are not sure what you are looking for, it may be wise to seek help from a qualified motor engineer.
If you can see the Cat under your car or your model is on the list of those at risk, then consider the following options:
1. Fit a device to make the Cat harder to remove or have it welded to your car’s frame
2. Mark the Cat so if it is stolen it may be identified
3. Fit a dash cam that will record any movement of a car even when parked
Sadly, Cat Theft is not easy to avoid. Careful parking makes sense, but it only takes minutes to remove a Cat. At work and out and about, avoid quiet areas and park in locations that make it hard to jack up a vehicle. Fitting a device is probably excessive and may also damage your car.
DON’T’ DO IT YOURSELF – SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE!
Marking the Cat may not stop the theft, but it can help trace it after the event and a warning sticker on the car may deter the criminal. A dash cam, also, will not prevent a theft but, again, may help catch or deter the thief.
Marking kits can be obtained online from SelectaMark and cost £24.99. They include 2 heat resistant TESA security labels that are lasered with a unique code, 2 warning window stickers and online registration to a Secure Asset Register.
We tested one on a Honda Jazz and it seemed to do the job well. The illustrations on the right show how it all works.
To Read the full issue of July 2021 T&PR e-NEWS click here
The SelectaMark kit
The Cat was easy to spot underneath a Honda Jazz
The heat resistant and individually marked Catalytic Converter label was fitted.
And a sticker fitted to the window to discourage thieves.