THIEVES have stolen more than 200 catalytic converters from vans and lorries in East Yorkshire in the last year.

Humberside Police and East Riding of Yorkshire Council have now teamed up to tackle the problem, with the authority buying permanent marking kits for the devices to give them a “unique identity” which records vehicle and owner details on an international security register.

The scheme means thieves stealing a marked and registered converter are more likely to be caught and businesses can apply by emailing safe.communities@eastriding.gcsx.gov.uk with their name, address and phone number and how many of their vehicles have catalytic converters.