Metal thieves target Halesowen vehicles (From Halesowen News)

Metal thieves target Halesowen vehicles

6:01pm Tuesday 14th August 2012 in News

POLICE have launched a crackdown after a spate of thefts of catalytic converters from vehicles in Halesowen by metal thieves.

Several incidents have been reported from the town and across the Dudley borough over the past month.

Police are running high visibility patrols, undercover operations and working with local scrap yards and garages to combat the thefts.

Neighbourhood officers are also encouraging vehicle owners to securely mark their catalytic converters (CAT) using technology from Retainagroup.

The simple to use DIY marking pack has a unique code which is recorded with the vehicle and owner details on the Retainagroup register, this can be verified immediately by the police.

Once owners have used the marking kit, officers issue them with a crime prevention sticker advising would be thieves that the CAT is securely marked.

Sergeant Andy Springthorpe, heading up the operation, said: "This specific kind of theft is proving to be an issue across Dudley and it is important that all motorists and businesses who own high-clearance vehicles, like 4x4s or vans, are aware of how best to protect themselves from this type of crime."

He added: "West Midlands Police actively encourage owners of high clearance vehicles to get their catalytic converters security marked, as these are one of the type of vehicles that thieves are currently targeting across the county."

"Should you be unfortunate enough to have your catalytic converter stolen, please ask the garage to allow you to retain the cut area of the exhaust when you get it replaced, as we may then be able to make a mechanical match on any recovered converter."