MULTIPLE catalytic converter thefts have plagued drivers in Buckinghamshire this year.

Car owners have been left feeling vulnerable after thieves have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage across Buckinghamshire.

Catalytic converter thefts have been on the rise in recent years up and down the country.

While some drivers were lucky to have insurance cover the hefty damage caused by thieves, cars remained exposed when parking on streets, supermarkets and on driveways even in broad daylight.

This is where criminals targeted drivers in Buckinghamshire in 2022.

Bradenham Road, West Wycombe

In April, brazen thieves had their eyes set on parked cars near A4010 Bradenham road in West Wycombe.

Thames Valley Police warned it can take only minutes for thieves to saw off the valuable part underneath the car before fleeing the scene.

West Wycombe Parish Council commented: "Please be aware that cars parked by dog walkers along the Bradenham Road have had their catalytic converters stolen during daylight hours in the full view of all passing cars."

Great Brickhill, Milton Keynes

The police was hunting down suspected catalytic converter thieves, who struck at night on 26 March in a quiet Buckinghamshire village.

The thieves are believed to have hit out some time between 1am and 2.30am in a car park in Great Brickhill, before fleeing with seven converters.

Beaconsfield Station, Beaconsfield

A frustrated commuter called out for better security at the station after her car was damaged twice by thieves in the station’s car park over the summer.

The victim Natalie Wood, who had no choice but to leave her car to get to London for work, was left “helpless” following the latest incident at the APCOA Parking car park in September.

She said: “I feel so helpless, because there’s nothing they can do about it. The security didn’t really have a lot to say, and apparently, they can’t get security all day at the station even though you pay around £9 a day for that, and from 12 to six there’s no security.”

Following a spate of thefts at the train station, Chiltern Railways teamed up with British Transport Police for a motor safety event in December.

B&Q car park, London Road, High Wycombe

Another daytime theft happened on September 23, when a B&Q customer returned to find his parked car stripped off its converter, which is an exhaust emission control device converting toxic gases and pollutants in exhaust gas.

The catalytic converter metals can be used in jewellery, dentistry and electronics, and gangs can make between £300-£500 per converter.  

Tesco car park, Amersham  

Thieves dived underneath a shopper’s car in the Tesco Superstore car park in broad daylight in attempt to steal the catalytic converter on September 12.

Fortunately for her, the two male suspects were disturbed and fled in a black 2008 Peugeot before managing to saw the part off using their power tools.

She expressed her frustration of the situation: “You just don’t expect it to happen in daylight, so brazen.

“I wanted to warn people, but I don’t really what they can do, because they’re going to have to leave their cars when they go shopping.”

Boundary Road, Wooburn Green

During a shocking incident on the evening of November 16, four men threatened a resident with baseball bats before stealing her catalytic converter.  

The victim recalled the shocking attack, which was being investigated by the police: “When we rushed out to confront them, they threatened us with the bats and smashed our car windscreen and wing mirror to scare us off.”

The offenders wore black clothing, were around 5’10” or taller, and “well built” or wearing thick clothing, and they drove a “mid blue metallic estate car,” the woman said.

Lower Road, Chalfont St Peter

A 74-year-old retired woman living alone had her car damaged and left feeling fearful by a night-time theft on November 10.

Describing herself as “pretty strong, independent person”, the incident made her feel vulnerable. 

She said: “It’s not like me, I’m quite tough old bird.”

Like many other car owners, she has considered fitting a catalytic converter lock, but was told ““it only takes a few extra minutes, and they’ll cut that off as well.”

The police investigation into the incident took place, and has now been filed pending further information, Thames Valley Police confirmed.

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