Thieves target vans for precious metals
Police are appealing for witnesses to thefts in Crawley as van drivers are targeted.
Catalytic converters and exhausts are being stolen from vans which were parked outside overnight in Crawley.
Sussex Police said a catalytic converter was stolen from a white Ford Ranger parked in the town hall carpark, in Crawley, overnight on December 28.
A catalytic converter was stolen from a Ford Ranger parked in Railey Road, Northgate, between 2am and 8am on January 3.
An exhaust was stolen from a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van parked on the road in Shackleton Road, Crawley, in the week commencing December 23.
A catalytic converter was stolen from a van - the same model - when it was parked on the road in Cobham way, Manor Royal, between December 28 and December 31.
A spokesperson for Sussex Police advised that van owners keep their vans parked in garages when possible.
Mercedes-Benz states on its website that ‘there has been a significant increase in the theft of catalytic converters, stolen for the resale value of the precious metals from which they are made’.
Angus Fitton, PR manager for Mercedes-Benz, said the company offers a security device called a ‘Catloc’ which can be installed by a local dealer.
He added: “Mercedes-Benz participates in the ISR (International Security Register). This is a unique number which is etched onto the catalytic converter and exhaust when it arrives in the UK.
“If stolen and recovered the police can return the device back to the vehicle owner.”
All models of van are susceptible to this type of theft as all contain high value metals such as platinum, palladium and rhodium.
Investigations into the thefts in Crawley are ongoing and no arrests have been made. Anyone who thinks they have any information can contact Sussex Police on 101.
Quote 0278 of 30/12 for calls relating to the town hall incident
Quote 0193 of 03/01 for the Railey Road incident.
Quote 0454 of 29/12 for the Shackleton Road incident.
Quote 0187 of 31/12 for the Cobham way incident
Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Crawley
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 12 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North
