Thieves steal catalytic converter from car in Kettering

A car in a Kettering street was targeted by thieves who removed its catalytic converter.

Police have appealed for the public's help after the incident, which they said took place in Pine Road between 5pm and 6pm on February 4 (Thursday).

The car which was targeted was a black Toyota Auris, police said.

The incident is the latest in a series of catalytic converter thefts in the area as the number reports investigated by Northamptonshire Police soared from just 14 in 12 months to 295 two years later.

Catalytic converters, which control and convert emissions, contain precious metals which are stripped out and sold by thieves.

Hybrid cars are seen as an easy high-value target because they produce lower emissions, meaning the metals are less corroded, and police have warned owners of hybrid cars to be vigilant.

Often working in groups callous thieves jack up a vehicle, cut out the device and flee within minutes, leaving their victims with a huge bill to get their car back on the road.

Cruel thieves have even targeted Kettering General Hospital workers who were on shift during the pandemic - at the Trafalgar Road car park in the first wave of the virus and then at the Rothwell Road hospital itself in November.

Anyone with information about the Pine Road theft should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.