Staffordshire and the West Midlands have been the target of thieves looking to cash in on high metal prices, as parked vehicles are having their catalytic converters removed according to new figures.
Since January the Black Country has seen 267 vehicles targeted for their catalytic converters, with an additional 87 stolen from vehicles since April in Staffordshire. By comparison to any other region, Dudley has been hit worst, suffering almost three times the number of thefts. 142 have been stolen across the borough since the beginning of the year.
In a crackdown operation by the police, known as Operation Boss Cat, attempts are being made to target crimes of opportunity with regards to vehicles parked on roadways. Scrap dealers are being visited and patrols have been increased to deter thieves in the area.
The Freedom of Information Act has revealed that Walsall had 29 thefts with Wolverhampton and Sandwell having 48 thefts per area. Stafford’s Astonfields Estate saw the theft of catalytic converters from four vans and Woodsetton School in Dudley had one stolen from their minibus in October.
Due to the continuing rise in precious metal prices, thefts are on the increase with both businesses and motorists being affected.
PC Sean Low of Dudley’s Local Priority Team stated that the team would be concentrating on local scrap merchants who could be in receipt of the stolen parts. In addition to this, hot spots in Pensnett and Brierley Hill will see regular patrols to help curb the latest trend.
MOT garages in Dudley are being given equipment to use for incoming vehicles so that the catalytic converters can be security marked, making it easier to track down stolen parts with ultra violet lamps, should they turn up in a scrap yard.