Catalytic Converter Theft

[Dinger2]

A friend who gives me a lift to nightschool phoned me today and said I can't pick you up as I'm dealing with the Police reporting the theft of my Catalytic converter.
I didn't know they were a legal requirement and you cannot drive your car without one. Is the theft of Cats the "new kid on the block" on the "crimometer " ??
May I suggest the government draft a new law a.s.a.p that forces scrap dealers to demand I.d like passports and proof of address and photograph the seller before this "dirty" crime gets out of control .

[derekpara]

Cat converter theft has been going on for years and is still very active where I live in an outer London borough. Apparently the metal content is quite valuable.

[Buenchico]

The law already requires scrap metal dealers to check the identities of people offering metals for sale:

"(1)A scrap metal dealer must not receive scrap metal from a person without verifying the person’s full name and address.

(2)That verification must be by reference to documents, data or other information obtained from a reliable and independent source.

(3)The Secretary of State may prescribe in regulations—

(a)documents, data or other information which are sufficient for the purpose of subsection (2);

(b)documents, data or other information which are not sufficient for that purpose"
[Section 11, Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013]

It also prohibits cash payments:
"A scrap metal dealer must not pay for scrap metal except—

(a)by a cheque which under section 81A of the Bills of Exchange Act 1882 is not transferable, or

(b)by an electronic transfer of funds (authorised by credit or debit card or otherwise"
[ibid, s.12]

That doesn't help much though if the dealer himself is as bent as a nine bob note!

[bookbinder]

Stealing catalytic converters is not a new crime. I once read that commercial vehicles are the favoured targets of thieves, because they are higher off the ground than are cars, and it's easier to get at the 'cat'.

[Buenchico]

A relevant link (from last Friday):
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-49767195

[tonyav]

Market values for these rare materials have increased substantially in the past 18 months.

Palladium can be sold for £1,300 per ounce, with rhodium is worth up to £4,300 per ounce. Such high figures naturally make catalytic converters a desirable target for thieves.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/news/how-to-keep-your-car-safe-from-catalytic-converter-theft/ar-AAHS1sj?li=AAnZ9Ug

[derekpara]

The favourite target areas near me are industrial estates where fleets of Transit vans are parked up for the night. There was one instance of 15 CCs being taken in one go and, as has been said, a high ground clearance makes for easy pickings - and there are a few dodgy scrap dealers nearby to help things along.

[Buenchico]

>>> I didn't know they were a legal requirement

Only for a quarter of a century though, Dinger2 ;-)
[They became compulsory on all new vehicles in the UK in 1993]