Please be alert for catalytic converter thieves. A catalytic converter was taken from a 2018 Lexus in Morrisons car park on Saturday 07/02/2026 between 1:30pm and 2:30pm. This type of theft has not taken place for a couple of years and it is now on the rise again. Previous vehicles they were stolen from on Palmers Green ward were older models of Honda Jazz, Toyota Prius, Ford Galaxy, Lexus and BMW series 1 and 3. Plus all ages of Toyota Auris. Please see the information and advice below.
Catalytic converters are devices fitted to vehicle exhausts to reduce the amount of dangerous gases emitted. They are often targeted by thieves as they contain valuable metals and can be removed in less than a minute.
Catalytic converter theft most frequently occurs in car parks, but they can happen anywhere. Thieves may then sell these converters via scrapyards, online, or ship them out of the country.
Hybrid vehicles are most commonly targeted, as their metals are more valuable, but any vehicle can be at risk of catalytic converter theft.
Signs a catalytic converter theft is being committed
a vehicle being raised using a car jack in a car park or residential area
a loud drilling or cutting sound coming from underneath the vehicle
Watch the video below to see what a catalytic converter theft looks like.
Although catalytic converter thefts are increasing, there are steps that you can take to protect your vehicle.
To keep your catalytic converter safe, you can ask your car dealer for advice on locks or guards that are approved by the vehicle manufacturer and tested to Sold Secure Gold.
Alternatively, try to make sure your vehicle is parked in a garage overnight, or if you have a commercial vehicle, park it in a secure compound. If this isn’t possible, park in an area that’s well-lit and overlooked and try to park so that the converter can’t be easily reached by potential thieves. Vehicles that sit high above the road are particularly vulnerable.
You should also register your converter and mark it with a forensic marker, which will make it harder for thieves to dispose of.
