Catalytic converters have been reported stolen in Poulner, (Ringwood), as well as New Milton and Lymington.

They can be removed within a few minutes by using just a few basic tools.

However, there are ways you can protect your vehicle if, like many people, you don’t have access to a garage:

• Find out where your catalytic converter is located on your car; if it’s at the front, park with the bonnet towards a wall if possible
• If it’s at the back, park your vehicle with your exhaust to the wall
• If parking in a public car park, consider parking alongside other cars and incorporating wall
• Avoid parking half on the pavement and half on the road, as this may make it easier for a thief to get under your car
• If your catalytic converter is bolted on, you can ask for your local garage to weld the bolts to make it more difficult to remove
• You can also etch a serial number on the converter so that if it is stolen and then recovered, the police can get your cat converter back to you
• You could consider purchasing a ‘cage clamp’ which is a cage device that locks in around the converter to make it more difficult to remove
• Speak to your dealership or garage about the possibility of adding a tilt sensor that will activate the alarm should any thief try to jack the vehicle up to steal the converter

If you see someone acting suspiciously under a vehicle report it to the police. Obtain as much information as possible, including any vehicle registrations.

In the event your cat converter is stolen, report it to the police online or via 101, or visit your local police website and report through the contact form. For a crime in progress call 999.