Motorists are being urged to ‘consider security’ following a spate of thefts involving catalytic converters in Milton Keynes. 

Thames Valley Police confirmed that vehicles such as 4x4s, people carriers, vans, and cars ‘with a higher ground clearance’, are at risk of having the piece of equipment stolen.

Thieves are known to target cars such as the Honda Jazz, the Toyota Prius, and the Toyota Auris.

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Following the high rate of thefts, TVP has revealed the best ways to keep vehicles safe from thieves.

The advice is as follows:

Defensive Parking

  • Where possible, park in your garage.
  • If not try to park next to a high curb or another area that restricts access underneath your vehicle on the side where the exhaust is fitted.
  • If possible park in a well-lit area or consider security lighting.

CCTV

  • Consider installing a CCTV system to cover your vehicle as a deterrent.

Welded Bolts

  • If your catalytic converter is a 'bolt on' it is possible to have the bolts welded shut.

Catalytic Converter Protective Sleeves/clamps

  • Consider fitting a specialist protective cover or clamp to your vehicle to make life more difficult for an offender.
  • Contact your vehicle dealership for options.

Alarm System

  • Consider fitting a specific catalytic converter alarm to warn of any tamper attempts.

Some alarms can send a text message to your phone and activate a siren and flashing lights.

If possible choose a Thatcham approved product (www.thatcham.org).

Identify/etch your converter

  • Consider permanently marking your catalytic converter to make it less desirable for criminals to steal and sell on.

TVP also suggested contacting the RetainaGroup, which offers a ‘virtually indestructible sticker, metal marking fluid and a window sticker’.

This is to warn thieves that the catalytic converter carries an identification mark.

Each mark contains a seven-digit code and a 24-hour telephone number for the International Security Register who store the code against vehicle details.

For more information on the catalytic marking kit, www.retainagroup.com or call 01233 333000.