Police forces across the nation have recovered over a thousand
stolen catalytic converters and arrested more than 50 people as
part of a joint operation to tackle catalytic converter theft.
British Transport Police (BTP) coordinated the operation,
codenamed Goldiron, which saw police forces join experts from the
Joint Unit for Waste Crime (JUWC), led by the Environment Agency,
Smartwater Group, and motor industry, to carry out synchronised
enforcement action, intelligence-led site visits, forensic
marking and educational events.
Catalytic converters clean harmful gases before they exit a
vehicle's exhaust pipe and are stolen for the precious metal they
contain. These metals have surged in value recently, leading to
organised crime networks to commit more offences.
Between Monday 19 and Friday 23 April, officers and partner
agencies:
- made 56 arrests
- visited 926 sites (catalytic converter process plants, scrap
metal dealers, vehicle dismantles and catalytic converter buyers)
- stopped 664 vehicles
- recovered 1,037 stolen catalytic converters and 297 items of
stolen property
- identified 244 offences
During these visits and checks, officers searched for stolen
metal and examined trader’s financial records to ensure they were
complying with the 2013 Scrap Metal Dealers Act. The JUWC
coordinated a series of waste site inspections to ensure
businesses held environmental permits and met other legal
requirements.
Catalytic converter marking demonstrations were also held
throughout the week to educate and encourage drivers to protect
their vehicles. Over 1,610 vehicles were forensically marked by
officers and partner agencies.
National Police Chiefs' Council Lead for Metal Crime, BTP
Assistant Chief Constable Charlie Doyle, said:
“The positive results from this week are testament to why
it’s vital we join forces to share information and specialist
knowledge to disrupt those operating in this area of crime.
“By taking a multi-agency approach, we are maximising our
ability to identify those who are involved in catalytic converter
theft, making it harder for them to sell stolen metal and gain
from their criminal activities.”
National Police Chiefs' Council Lead for Vehicle Crime,
Cheshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Simms,
said:
“We recognise the impact catalytic converter theft has on
victims. A national conference took place in November last year
to create a cross-agency plan focussed on prevention and
detection and this is the second week of action that has taken
place since.
“Policing and law enforcement agencies will continue to focus
on catalytic converter theft and ensure that this low risk/
high-reward crime is relentlessly targeted, and offenders are
brought to justice. The results from this week are
impressive.”
Manager of the JUWC, , added:
“This week of action is another example of how the JUWC,
together with other partners and agencies, are targeting
criminals who exploit the waste industry and harm the
environment. Utilising the skills and expertise across agencies
we will continue to identify further opportunities to impact upon
waste crime.”
Reports of catalytic converter theft should be made as soon as
possible to increase the chances of detection.
