Britons are being warned of the biggest hotspots for catalytic converter thefts as experts call on drivers to take action to prevent it from happening to them.
New data has found that police forces around England and Wales reported a total of 3,325 catalytic converter thefts in 2023 for a ratio of one theft per every 4,579 vehicles.
Cambridgeshire has been identified as the most at-risk area as the police force recorded 276 thefts of the crucial car part in 2023.
This means one in every 1,292 vehicles in the county was targeted, meaning drivers in Cambridgeshire are by far the most at risk of having their car impacted.
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Cambridgeshire has been identified as the area with the most catalytic converter thefts per vehicle
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Catalytic converters are devices fitted to the bottom of cars that reduce harmful gases, although the rare metals in them make them particularly valuable to thieves.
All new petrol cars in the UK must have a catalytic converter, even though they are quick and easy to remove for criminals, prompting police forces around the country to crack down on the offence.
Hertfordshire comes in second place with one catalytic converter theft for every 2,076 vehicles, with the police force reporting 298 cases overall.
The south of England appears to be the worst region for these thefts, with Greater London in third place.
Areas by the number of vehicles per catalytic converter thefts
Cambridgeshire - 1:1,292
Hertfordshire - 1:2,076
Greater London - 1:2,351
Gwent - 1:2,646
Nottinghamshire - 1: 2,978
Tom Banks, car insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: "The spikes here could be due to other factors, like differences in each police force’s reporting methods, or some areas having fewer to report as they made preventing them a higher priority.
"This means there’s no need for any undue panic, but it could be worth taking some extra precautions to protect your vehicle."
He called on drivers to consider parking in a garage or next to a wall in well-lit areas to put criminals off from targeting their car, especially if they live in one of the hotspots.
SmartWater has been one of the most popular deterrents in recent years as police forces encourage drivers to get their catalytic converters marked to make it harder for thieves to sell.
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Catalytic converters contain valuable metals, making them a perfect target for thieves
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Banks added: "If you do suffer a theft, you will probably be covered by your car insurance as long as you have a comprehensive policy in place.
"Report the theft to the police and get a crime reference number, then contact your insurer and explain the situation. You'll need your crime reference number and any evidence you have. You should then just need to wait for your payout."
