Revealed: the UK areas most targeted by catalytic converter thieves

Published 04 October 2022

Greater London had the most catalytic converter thefts in the UK between 2020 and 2022, with 30,128 stolen - equating to 502 per 100,000 people.
Somerset, Bath, Bristol and South Gloucestershire see a 456 per cent rise in theft.
Thieves target the precious metals inside catalytic converters.

London has been revealed as the area with the most catalytic converter thefts in the UK since 2020 with 30,128 stolen.

It also has the highest number of thefts per 100,000 people at 502, according to research by short-term vehicle insurance provider GoShorty.

Catalytic converters form part of the car’s exhaust system and convert pollutants into less harmful gases. Criminals steal them for the precious metals required to make them, including rhodium, palladium, and platinum.

Last year, it was reported that catalytic converter thefts accounted for one third of insurance theft claims, with most thefts happening while the car was parked at their owner's home, either on the driveway or the road.

Car Crime Warning Sign

Top 10 hotspots for catalytic converter thefts

Rank	Area	Number of catalytic converter thefts (2020-2022)	Number of catalytic converter thefts per 100,000 people (2020-2022)
1	London (excluding the City of London)	30,128	502
2	Hertfordshire	2,130	294
3	Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, and Luton	919	211
4	Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland	1,509	194
5	Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole	960	180
6	Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock	1,827	154
7	Warwickshire	502	119
8	North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire	606	118
9	Suffolk	610	113
10	West Yorkshire	1,067	82

The freedom of information request to UK police forces also uncovered the areas which have seen the biggest increase in catalytic converter thefts from 2020 to 2021, with Somerset, Bath, North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire experiencing a 456 per cent jump.

Top 10 areas with the biggest increase in catalytic converter thefts

Rank	Area	Increase in thefts (2020-2021)
1	Somerset, Bath, North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire	456%
2	Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and Powys	300%
3	West Yorkshire	144%
4	Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole	102%
5	Northern Ireland	100%
6	Gloucestershire	100%
7	Derbyshire and Derby	96%
8	Tyne and Wear and Northumberland	86%
9	East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton and Hove	65%
10	Surrey	52%

How can I prevent catalytic converter theft?

Simple measures such as parking near a wall or fence can help prevent the thief from removing the catalytic convertor, along with having a car alarm or CCTV cameras at your home.

There are also devices that lock in around the converter to make it more difficult to remove. Toyota has its own device, called a Catloc. Alternatively, you can buy devices that 'clamp' to the exhaust pipes which helps protects different sized and shaped converters or have a unique serial number etched onto your catalytic converter so it can be easily identified if it is stolen.

Which cars are targeted for catalytic converter theft?

Hybrids are at particular risk because their catalytic converters contain a higher concentration of precious metals and are generally less corroded.

The Honda Jazz, Toyota Prius, Toyota Auris and Lexus RX of all generations and ages have been popular targets in the past.

Will my insurance cover catalytic converter theft?

If you have an insurance policy that covers against theft then yes you should be covered if your catalytic converter is stolen but it's worth double checking your policy.

Ask HJ

Should I buy a catalytic converter lock?

Should I protect my 2015 Honda Jazz with catalytic converter lock/protective shield?

Catalytic converter locks are available from under £200 and are an effective deterrent against thefts. If you live in an area where this is a regular occurrence or know that neighbours have suffered thefts it may well be worth investing.

Answered by Lawrence Allan

Is a catalytic converter covered under warranty?

Does a new car warranty cover the cat? I have an MG ZS which is 18 months old and has done 3,000 miles. It was bought new. I have been told by the MG agent the cat needs replacing at a cost to me of £1,200! They said it's a consumable like tyres or an oil filter.

The answer to this question will very much depend on the cause of the failure. If the catalytic converter has clogged up because the car has been used for lots of short journeys that have prevented it from reaching the required operating temperature then I would say no, it's not a warranty issue. The same would be true if the unit has been damaged in some way by road debris or a kerb. However, if the catalytic converter has failed due to a manufacturing defect (either with the unit or elsewhere in the car) then I would expect the warranty to cover the repair. A faulty oxygen sensor, for example, could result in the fuel being too rich or lean - both have the potential to wreck a cat converter.

Answered by Dan Powell

Comments

conman on 10 October 2022

Basically the Chief Constables that now run our police are basically useless understaffed and ill equipped the poor bobby on the road has to work under extreme pressures forces and the local law enforcers ie. Magistrates and judges would rather give a criminal a suspended sentence rather than punish them no wonder the working man has no confidence in the POLICE and the judiciary.
Years ago we had the yes people , then we went on to the yes, yes , yes people now we are in the realms of the YES YES YES YES people none of the hierarchy have the B---s to do anything.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Garrie farmer on 11 October 2022

I would like to know who buys the metals off these rogue sellers, surely they must know they're possibly stolen there should be details of where the cats come from before payment and the recipient should face jail sentence for failure to comply

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

DanielBiggs on 13 July 2023

The police must take actions to stop thieves, especially in London. The metropolitan area of London has seen the highest number of catalytic converter thefts in the UK, with some boroughs reporting a 400% increase in thefts in recent years. bloxd io. I hope that I will be safe when walking through London streets

Reply | Report as offensive | Link