Gangs believed to be targeting the area at the moment
Catalytic converter thieves in action. Picture: YouTube
Police in Chiswick have issued an alert about rising motor vehicle crime after a spate of thefts from vehicles in the area including a number of catalytic converter thefts.
It is understood that professional organised crime groups often target particular parts of London for an intensified campaign of thefts of converters before moving on to another postcode.
The police say they are continuing to conduct high visibility patrols in the W4 area and other units across the borough have been asked to aim their patrols in Chiswick especially in the evening when the Safer Neighbourhoods Team officers tend to be off duty.
Between 1 August and 20 August the Chiswick Homefields Ward alone had four reports of catalytic convertors being stolen and eight incidents of people having their vehicles broken into and personal belongings taken.
In one case, cutting equipment was used to gain access to a locked van which may indicate that a gang looking for converters to steal opportunistically broke into the van as they use such equipment in their thefts.
The police have distributed links to web pages that give details of how to protect yourself from car vehicle theft and how to prevent your catalytic converter being stolen.
Catalytic converter thieves can remove the device in around a minute. The video below from police in Nottinghamshire shows how quickly thieves can take one. Hybrid cars, vans and four wheel drives are particularly at risk, as the ride height makes access to the exhaust system beneath them easier.
Advice on avoiding your converter being stolen includes always parking close to a wall or fence with the exhaust on the side away from the road. Converters can also be security marked and cage clamps can be purchased to make theft more difficult.
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August 22, 2021
