Catalytic converters (“Cats”) clean the air coming out of car exhausts, but they contain precious metals so have become a target for thieves. They often target vehicles in public car parks in broad daylight, relying on speed and chutzpah.

I spoke to a police officer this week to ask how you can reduce your risk, here’s his advice:

Thieves seem to target some models such as Toyota Prius or Yaris and Honda Jazz, plus some Lexus models as the catalytic convertor seems to be especially accessible. Taller vehicles can also make it easier for thieves to get underneath.

Other types of vehicle have the Cat fitted within the engine bay, making it more difficult. Whatever the vehicle, be alert for people jacking up or working under vehicles in car parks - they may be quite brazen in high-viz, aiming to steal the Cat in a couple of minutes before being challenged.

Thieves always tend to look for the soft target, so you can make yourself less of a target as follows:

Defensive Parking

They are targeting Cats underneath the rear of the vehicle, getting to it either from the rear or the side. That’s harder if you reverse back to a wall or fence, park alongside an obstruction such as a wall, fence, or other vehicles, or if you park in a garage.

Anti-Theft Devices

You may be able to secure your Cat by welding the bolts or fitting an anti-theft sleeve or “CatLok”, making it harder to remove. Your garage should be able to help or advise.

Marking

Once removed, Cats don’t have identifying marks to show which car they came from. Consider marking yours by etching in an identifying mark or using something like Smart Water to identify ownership. It may also deter thieves if you advertise that you’ve done so.

At Home

Parking in a garage is ideal, but security or dawn-to-dusk lighting, CCTV, or alarms can deter thieves from targeting vehicles parked on driveways especially combined with the defensive parking advice, above. Motion-activated video doorbells can also provide a deterrent as well as video evidence of any activity.

In the meantime, there is work going on at a national level between Police, Government and manufacturers as some makes and models are quite vulnerable, while others have the Cat tucked away in the engine bay where it's inaccessible. That has to be the long term answer to this.

To report a crime in progress, dial 999. To report a crime, dial 101.

For more advice on preventing theft from vehicles, the Met Police have this useful guide.