Police crackdown on thefts of expensive car components (From York Press)

Police crackdown on thefts of expensive car components

8:53am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in News By Jennifer Bell, Crime reporter

MOTORISTS in York are being given the chance to protect their cars from thieves.

An increase in the theft of catalytic converters from vehicles in the city has led to a new operation being launched with the aim of preventing criminals making a profit from stealing the devices.

Operation Bonafide – being run by the Safer York Partnership, North Yorkshire Police and City of York Council – will allow drivers to have their converters marked so they can be clearly identified if they are stolen and sold on to local scrap merchants.

Dealers have been warned that if any converters which have been marked or look like an attempt has been made to remove the markings are found at their business, they will be prosecuted and face losing their licence.

Special constables will be at North Eastern Tyres and Autocare at Clifton Moor on Saturday, February 18, between 10am and 4pm, to mark vehicles. Drivers who get their cars marked will being given a windscreen sticker to show the markings have been added and in addition, crime prevention advice being available.

The tyre outlet has offered the use of two of its ramps free of charge.

“It will also be offering free vehicle “health checks” to motorists on the day.

Richard Loft, depot manager at North Eastern Tyres and Autocare, said “North Eastern Tyres and Autocare are very proud to be working alongside North Yorkshire Police and the City of York Council in trying to minimise the increasing number of catalytic convertor thefts from vehicles.

“We acknowledge that this is a growing problem and are therefore more than happy to support this new initiative.”

Bonafide was launched as metal theft becomes one of the UK’s fastest-growing crimes due to rising prices for materials such as copper and lead, with The Press revealing this week that almost 1,300 such offences were reported to North Yorkshire Police last year.

Coun Sandy Fraser, cabinet member for crime and community safety said “Marking vehicles in this way should make them a less attractive proposition to any would-be thief, particularly as scrap dealers have now been told to be on the lookout for any suspicious catalytic converters presented to them.”