Man arrested for stealing catalytic converter in Portsmouth with thefts more common amid rising prices

Just after midnight on Wednesday, a catalytic converter was ripped from a van in Southampton Road, Cosham. Officers detained a man at the scene.

A Hampshire and Isle of Wight spokeswoman said: ‘Officers attended and arrested a 54-year-old man from Hayling Island on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle. He remains in police custody at the current time.’

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The spokeswoman said the exhaust emission control devices can be stolen in moments with basic tools. Thefts for the part are on the rise.

‘Catalytic converter theft is closely linked to prices of Rhodium and Palladium that are contained within the converters,’ she added.

‘The prices of these metals have increased recently and this is what we believe has contributed to the number of thefts increasing.’

People are advised to park their vehicles with the catalytic converter close to walls and avoid parking halfway on the pavement – making them harder to access.