Suffolk Police are appealing for drivers to be vigilant following a rise in the number of thefts of catalytic converters.

Catalytic converters are being removed from utility vehicles and vans parked in a variety of locations. 

Suffolk Police are working with scrap metal dealers across the county and officers visit yards to ensure checks are made on all metals brought to the sites for sale, and that any suspicious items or persons are reported.

Crime Reduction Officer Bernard Plume has the following advice:
Private vehicles should be kept in a well-secured garage where possible, and if no garage is available, in a well-lit, public area.

Vehicles can be parked in such a way as to make access to the catalytic converter difficult, or parallel with another vehicle if you own one. The Converter itself can be secured with a clamp and anti tamper alarms are available.

Commercial vehicles should also be kept in a locked building or compound, supported by alarms, lighting and CCTV.

Catalytic converters can be marked with etching or UV pens, and with SmartWater, which is an invisible liquid with a unique formula that forensically proves where the marked item comes from. Regular marking sessions are held across the county please contact your local Crime Reduction Officer or Safer Neighbourhood Team for details of these and current security methods.

Any persons or vehicles seen acting suspiciously around other vehicles should be reported to police on 101 or please dial 999 if a crime is in progress.  Alternatively…

Please use the following link to pass any useful information to Suffolk Police about this incident:  http://www.suffolk.police.uk/safetyadvice/reportacrime/tellthepolice.aspx  [ DO NOT USE THIS LINK IN AN EMERGENCY OR IN A SITUATION THAT REQUIRES AN IMMEDIATE POLICE RESPONSE WHEN YOU SHOULD RING 999.]

Police Direct Team
16^th November 2011