Revealed: the UK areas most targeted by catalytic converter thieves
Tue, 04 Oct 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.
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.
