Drivers are being warned to stay alert following a rise in thieves stealing catalytic converters.
Car insurance provider Ageas Insurance says this type of crime now accounts for 30% of all theft claims reported, up from 20% since before the first lockdown.
Most thefts have happened while cars have been parked at home, either on the driveway or the road.
But in some cases, brazen crooks have also swiped catalytic converters from supermarket car parks while the driver was shopping.
The AA has also noted a 6,760% "explosion" in catalytic converter thefts in four years.
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Catalytic converters filter exhaust emissions and contain precious metals like platinum, rhodium and palladium.
It’s these elements which are valuable to thieves as it’s estimated some converters contain up to £1,000 worth of metals.
The converters are required for cars to pass an MOT and can result in vehicles being written off if they’re removed.
Robin Challand, claims director at Ageas, said: “While catalytic converters are just one component of a car, their theft can often result in a driver’s car being written off.
“We hope that by shining a spotlight on this type of crime, we can arm motorists with the information they need to protect their vehicles.”
RAC spokesman Simon Williams added: “Drivers are often oblivious of their vehicle’s catalytic converter being stolen.
“Our patrols are often called to attend cars that have suddenly become excessively noisy.
“On investigation it’s very often the case that the car’s catalytic converter has been stolen.”
What can you do to minimise thefts?
The AA has provided some handy tips to help keep your car safe from theft.
You should also always make sure you have valid car insurance.
- Park your vehicle in a well-lit and residential location, or ideally in a garage if available.
- When away from home, look for car parks that have security patrols and are covered by CCTV.
- Look for car parks that have the ParkMark logo as this shows they have met certain security standards.
