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Edinburgh Police Division : ‘Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Advice’

Adapted from a recent Edinburgh Police Division Facebook post.

This was highlighted by a local resident as there have been an increasing number of thefts of catalytic converters across Edinburgh recently. 

Catalytic converters can be attractive items to thieves due to the precious metals (rhodium, platinum, palladium) they contain. Hybrid vehicles are frequently targeted, as they have two power sources with the result that the converter is used less frequently and the metals are less corroded.

To reduce the risk of theft :

  • Park in a locked garage where possible. Alternatively, choose a well-lit, populated area, ideally with CCTV.
  • Avoid parking half on the pavement and half on the road, this will make it easier for thieves to access the converter.
  • In car parks, park alongside other vehicles and face the bonnet towards a wall, if possible, to make accessing the cat convertor more difficult.
  • Vehicles with low clearance could be used to block access to those with high clearance.
  • Welding the bolts securing the cat converter may make removal more difficult.
  • Consider using forensic property marking kits (e.g. Selectamark), which help deter theft and identify stolen cat convertors.
  • Fit a ‘catloc’ (Secured By Design accredited) to prevent the removal of a cat converter.
  • Fit a tilt sensor which will activate the car alarm should the vehicle be jacked up.

For more information, please visit the following websites:

Police Scotland
www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/road-safety/protecting-your-car/

Secured by Design
https://www.securedbydesign.com

Catloc
www.catloc.co.uk

Selectamark
www.selectamark.co.uk/security-marking/

 

Or contact the Edinburgh Crime Prevention Team via edinburghpreventandintervent@scotland.police.uk

Remember: If you see anyone acting suspiciously near your property or vehicles, please contact the police immediately with as detailed a description as possible of any person(s) or vehicle(s) involved.

Please call ‘999’ if an emergency and urgent police assistance is required or 101 to report the matter to the police.