Partnership aims to stamp out converter thefts
Archived press release
Date Published: 17/04/12
Car thief
Drivers across Aylesbury Vale are being offered free engraving to mark their catalytic converters.
The Aylesbury Vale Community Safety Partnership is introducing the service in a bid to curb increasing numbers of catalytic converter thefts.
Thieves steal the convertors, fitted to vans, 4x4s and high-range cars, because they contain precious metals. Police believe engraving the catalytic convertors could prevent criminals from selling them on and make thieves more likely to be caught.
From 23 April, 10 garages in the Vale are offering to engrave catalytic converters while vehicles are being serviced or repaired. Each catalytic converter will be engraved with a unique security number and drivers will receive warning stickers for the vehicle’s windows telling potential thieves that the car is security marked.
The garages will also be offering to fit special tamper proof number plate screws to people's vehicles to help deter thieves and stop plates being stolen. In addition, cars with portable satellite navigation systems will be provided with a vehicle security pack showing how owners can make their vehicles more secure.
Matt Partridge, Chairman of the Aylesbury Vale Community Safety Partnership, said: “We are committed to tackling this type of crime and it’s great we can work with so many garages in the area to provide this service to help reduce the number of catalytic converter thefts.”
Garages who have agreed to take part in the scheme in Aylesbury Vale are: Adams Garage, Oakfield Road, Aylesbury; BG Autos, Rabans Close, Aylesbury; Chapman Auto Services, Station Road, Winslow; Grendon Garage Ltd, Main Street, Grendon Underwood; Halfords Auto Centre, Gatehouse Way, Aylesbury; Hughes of Aylesbury, Bicester Road, Aylesbury; JC Pantling & Sons, Leighton Road, Wing; Lower End Garage, Marsworth; Stoke Mandeville Auto Centre, Lower Road, Stoke Mandeville; Wharf Motors, Stratford Road, Buckingham.
To reduce the chances of catalytic converters being stolen vehicle owners can also:
• Keep private vehicles in a well-secured garage where possible, and if no garage is available, where there is effective security lighting or in a well-lit public area.
• Park vehicles in a such a way as to make access to the catalytic converter difficult (particularly vehicles with a high ground clearance) – such as parallel with another vehicle with a low clearance if you own one.
• Keep commercial vehicles in a locked building or compound.
• Use alarms, lighting and CCTV to deter thieves.
• Consider having the converter bolts welded or a lock fitted.
For further information, please visit www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/community-living or call 01296 585014.