Shropshire Star

Warning after spate of Telford car parts thefts

A spate of thefts from cars has been reported across Shropshire, with more than 100 incidents in the space of just 24 days this month.

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West Mercia Police say there have been 61 reports of thefts from vehicles in Shropshire between April 1 and April 24, with a further 43 incidents in Telford & Wrekin.

Thieves are targeting catalytic converters, which is a vehicle emissions control device helping to convert toxic fumes in the exhaust to less toxic substances, from the underneath of cars.

And police today warned motorists to be vigilant and asked people to be aware of poisonous fumes which can leak into a vehicle if it is targeted.

The figures revealed in a Neighbourhood Watch update show that, out of the 104 reported incidents, 29 of the converters have been stolen in Shropshire and five in Telford. Car number plates are also becoming a popular target for thieves in Telford, the report said.

A statement in the update said: "Co-ordinators please ask neighbours to be vigilant, to check exhausts regularly – especially on larger vans, people carriers and commercial vehicles, and to report any thefts or suspicious activity around vehicles as soon as possible to local police on 101.

"If you notice a problem with your own vehicle, beware of poisonous fumes which may leak in and get the exhaust system checked by a garage."

The thefts of converters have occurred in spates with five incidents recorded in Shrewsbury between Tuesday and Wednesday last week – in Broadway Close, Broseley Close, Burway Drive, Six Acres and The Moors, in Cressage.

Adrian Symonds, community volunteer co-ordinator for West Mercia Police, said: "There are precious metals in catalytic convertors and with the soaring prices of metals that is why they are being targeted."

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