Protect your catalytic converter

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex strongly supports the Crimestoppers campaign to encourage the public to provide information about catalytic converter thefts in the county and across the eastern region. Catalytic converter theft, which has dramatically increased in the last three years across the UK, can cause a victim thousands of pounds in replacement costs, and cause great inconvenience.   Catalytic converters are part of the exhaust system and thieves steal them for the precious metals they contain. The aim of the Crimestoppers’ campaign is to encourage the public to play their part in giving information about this type of crime – with metal theft as a whole costing the UK economy around £770 million per year. Although metal theft is seeing a steady decrease across the eastern region, due to various measures introduced by police forces, the theft of catalytic converters is still on the increase and is often connected to other forms of serious organised crime. PCC Alston said: “Catalytic converter theft disrupts everyday life and has a definite impact on the economy.  I’m delighted to endorse the campaign and the work of Crimestoppers in general.  If you have information about catalytic converter theft or any type of criminal behaviour please call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”  Ann Scott, Crimestoppers Eastern Regional Manager, commented: “Every day people trying to get to work, taking the children to school or driving their elderly neighbour to the doctors are being affected by this expensive and inconvenient crime. You can play your part in helping to keep our community safe by contacting us with information on catalytic converter thefts, or indeed any type of metal theft, you might know about. We want to know who is stealing them, who is handling them and where they are going”. She continued “You have nothing to fear by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers. We never take any personal details or ask for your name and we don’t trace or record your record. Those giving information will not have to give a statement to police or go to court. In the 24 years we have been running we have never revealed anyone’s identity. You could even get a cash reward of up to £1000 for your information”. Terry Pearce, from the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit, said “We are funding Crimestoppers to run this campaign not only because it is costing the UK economy millions but because of the human impact it can have on the community. We have heard of ambulance service vehicles being put of action due to this criminal activity which is truly despicable – innocent lives are being put at risk due to the greed of thieves. Anyone with a vehicle is potentially at risk of being a victim but in particular van users and 4x4 owners”. If you have any information on catalytic converter theft or any other metal theft then please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through our secure online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. Rewards can only be claimed for information passed to our 0800 555 111 number.