Chance to get your catalyst secured (From York Press)

Chance to get your catalyst secured

9:00am Thursday 11th October 2012 in News

CAR and van owners are being given the chance to protect their vehicles by having their catalytic converters marked for free today.

Drivers can attend the free session at Halfords in Foss Islands Road between 10am and 3pm and have their converters marked so they can be clearly identified if stolen and sold on to 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.

Sgt Andy Haigh, of York Police, said although officers in North Yorkshire had recorded a decline in the number of converters being stolen, the crime is driven by the soaring price of metals.

“If the price increases, the thieves will target converters once again,” Sgt Haigh said.

“It is important we make it as hard as possible for the criminals by marking your catalytic converter making it distinguishable.”

A spokesman for Halfords said: “We are committed to helping York Trading Standards and police tackle this type of crime and drive down the number of catalytic converter thefts. We are doing our utmost to stop this criminal behaviour, which affects already hard pressed motorists through increase repair costs and higher insurance premiums.”