RAC Insurance spokesperson Simon Williams said: “Catalytic converters contain a mixture of precious metals which, as this data shows, is something that criminals are increasingly exploiting.
“It’s concerning to see just how unlikely it is for perpetrators to be brought to justice and reinforces why drivers need to do everything they can to avoid becoming victims in the first place.
“When at home, anyone with a lockable garage should park their car in it. But how a driver parks their car can also make a difference to how likely they are to have the catalytic converter stolen.
“The key is making it difficult for someone to get around and under a vehicle, so parking close to a wall or fence – with the exhaust nearest it – can make it harder for a car to be jacked up. In a public car park, parking alongside other vehicles is also a good idea, as is pointing the bonnet towards a wall if there is one.
“Drivers might also want to consider investing in a ‘catloc’ or ‘cage clamp’ which locks around the catalytic converter and makes it harder to remove.
“If the worst does happen, it’s vital to be covered by a good and fully comprehensive insurance policy.
“Drivers can also contact their car’s manufacturer to see if they offer a free catalytic converter marking service, which can help the police if they’re able to recover the part.”
The police haven’t disclosed why so few of these crimes are resolved. However, enforcement is difficult due to the speed at which a catalytic converter can be stolen as well as a lack of traceability.
Since many catalytic converters are shipped abroad soon after the crime, tracing them and stopping the thieves is very challenging. Scrapyard regulation in these cases is also ineffective since the criminals bypass them entirely in most cases.
Police forces around the UK have launched campaigns to increase the traceability of these parts. These include adding a SmartWater solution to the vehicle or getting catalytic converters serialised to make them easier to track after a robbery.
To reduce the chances of your catalytic converter being stolen, read our full guide.
What more can be done to solve the problem? Have you ever seen a catalytic converter being stolen? Leave your comments below.
