TAMWORTH Neighbourhood Policing Team is urging motorists to ensure their vehicles are secure and avoid becoming the victim of catalytic converter thefts after a spate of incidents in the Borough.
With five confirmed incidents in the past week alone, officers want to remind people to “look out for this type of activity and record descriptions – noting down anything that could be useful to us”.
They will be carrying out high visibility patrols in these hotspot areas to try and deter any further offences.
The first incident was believed to have occurred at about 6pm on Thursday (4 February) when a catalytic convertor was removed from a Toyota Auris parked on Vetura Park Road some time between 5pm and 6pm.
And on Friday (5 February) a resident of Lichfield Street informed police that the catalytic converters had been cut off their Honda Civic as well as a neighbour’s. It is believed the incident happened on either January 24 or 25 but the victim had not used their car since.
Later that day, police received a call from another resident of Lichfield Street who believed the catalytic converter on their Honda Civic had been cut off at some time on January 26.
On Sunday (7 February), a staff member of Marks & Spencer’s on Ventura Retail Park, Ventura Park Road, called police at 2.20pm stating customers had returned to their vehicle after shopping to find a group of men around their Toyota Auris who had jacked the car up and were in the middle of stealing the catalytic converter.
Witnesses state they saw the men leave in a dark coloured Vauxhall Astra. There were said to be three or four males present, all with hoods up, and one had a surgical mask on while another wore a black mask.
And on Monday (8 February) police had a call from a property on Lichfield Street saying they had just witnessed a car be lifted up and the catalytic converter taken.
This happened at about 5.20pm and this time, two men wearing jeans and dark tops were witnessed arriving in a grey Citroen C4. They then left the scene in their vehicle in the direction of the Co-op.
There has been a rise in catalytic converter thefts across the area.
Officers are now urging people to stay vigilant. Many of these crimes take place in broad daylight and in full view of members of the public.
Thieves target catalytic converters as they contain small amounts of precious metals which increases their value - the price of these metals has increased in recent years.
PCSO Phillip Trow from the Tamworth Neighbourhood Policing Team said:
“It’s important for members of the public to stay alert. We need people’s help in tackling this issue so we ask if they can look out for this type of activity and record descriptions – noting down anything that could be useful to us. If it’s safe to do so, recording the incident on your phone is also extremely helpful.”
Tips have been issued to try and help people protect their vehicles. These include parking them in highly visible, well-lit areas. Off-road parking areas or secure compounds with strong perimeter fencing, warning signs and security lighting should be used wherever possible.
A monitored surveillance system can also be an effective deterrent and crime prevention of this kind can save on costly repair bills and minimise disruption to businesses.
Marking a converter with a unique reference will help police identify the owner should it be stolen, so always make sure that property is marked.
You can pass information to Staffordshire Police by calling 101, via their website www.staffordshire.police.uk or via their Facebook or Twitter pages.
You can also report information about crime by contacting the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
How to keep your vehicle safe
1. Always lock it
Fuelling up or popping back into your house to get something are perfect examples of how easy it is to turn your back for a moment and forget your vehicle is unsecured. So get into the habit of locking your vehicle even if you’re only going to be away from it for a moment.
2. Close windows and the sunroof to prevent ‘fishing’
Leaving windows and the sunroof open invites fishing for items through the gap by hand or with, say, a bent coat hanger, which could also be used to unlock a door for them to get in. Thieves can be ingenious. Don’t give them the opportunity.
3. Secure your number plates with tamper-resistant screws
The easiest way to change the identity of a stolen vehicle or avoid speeding tickets and parking tickets is to fit stolen number plates. Using security screws to attach your vehicle’s number plates makes it harder for thieves to get your number.
4. Fit locking, anti-tamper wheel nuts to secure alloy wheels
Stolen wheels are valuable, either as parts or for their scrap value. Using locking wheel nuts reduces the risk of your vehicle’s wheels being stolen.
5. Secure anything that’s on the outside of your vehicle
Anything left on roof-racks, tailgate racks, holiday top boxes or in tool chests are easily stolen when the vehicle is parked. The use of cable locks, padlocks and self-locking tools chests, which are secured to the vehicle, makes them more secure, but still, don’t leave things in them if you can avoid it. For further information and advice, visit Sold SecureExternal Link.
6. Take it with you or hide it
Your mobile phone, coins for the car park, sunglasses, packs of medication or other items that can earn quick cash are irresistible to the opportunist thief. Remember, the cost of replacing a window is often much more than that of what’s stolen. And it should go without saying that wallets, handbags, purses and credit cards should never be left in an unattended vehicle.
7. Hide electrical items and leave no clues
Leaving sat nav mounts, suction cup marks on windows or cables on view gives it away that you have left a Sat Nav, smartphone or other devices in your car. Even if they can’t see the Sat Nav or iPad they might still break in to see if it’s stored in the car, out of sight.
8. Tool theft from vans
Vans are often targeted by thieves for the tools stored inside. If you have to leave tools in a van overnight, it’s a good idea to mark them clearly with your name/company name and address using paint pens and seal with a clear lacquer spray. Alternatively, you can use a variety of other property marking systems. Items that are clearly marked are less desirable and more difficult to sell on.
Consider using a lockable cabinet within your van to store tools – a number of security rated products are available. Small cameras are also designed to record inside vehicles. Visit securedbydesign.com for more details.
You can also take photographs of items of value, make a note of the serial numbers and consider registering them online at a property register site.
9. Park in well-lit and busier areas
It can take less than 30 seconds to break into a vehicle. Parking in well-lit areas and busy streets increases the chances of a thief being seen, so they’ll probably steer clear.
10. Take your documents with you
Having a vehicle’s registration and insurance documents could let a thief pretend to be the owner. Which means they could sell it on quite easily. So, never leave any documents in the vehicle.
11. Choose your car park wisely
If possible, always try to park in well-lit and staffed car parks or those with a Park Mark safer parking award. To find one, simply check out Park Mark.
