Tesco Amersham car park theft police investigation

Thieves targeted unexpecting shoppers again at Tesco Superstore on Amersham's London Road West, with their eyes set on parked cars this time.  

An Amersham woman returned to an unwelcome surprise as her parked vehicle was targeted by shameless thieves on Monday (September 12) in broad daylight before 2.10pm.

The woman, who wants to remain anonymous, said: “It seems that thieves were watching in a car parked somewhere else.

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“I was only gone for 20 to 25 minutes, and when I got back there was a space next to me, and a man said to me ‘someone’s just tried to steal your catalytic converter, and they’ve driven off as they got disturbed.’

“They were there with power tools, underneath the car, making a racket and nobody did anything until this chap disturbed them and they sped off.

“Apparently it was a black Peugeot and two young guys. One stayed in the driver’s seat and the other one went underneath my car and did the work.

“They hadn’t actually stolen it because they were disturbed, but I wasn’t aware of it at the time. I thought it had gone."

Luckily for her, the thieves had only managed to cut through behind the converter with their power tools – meaning it could be welded back together, instead of the car being written off completely had they succeeded.

The thieves managed to cut part of the pipe connecting the catalytic converter before they were disturbed (Image: Interviewee)

Now she doesn't feel safe parking at Tesco again, and the store management weren’t “that interested” when she asked them to come and have a look, claiming that the car park is the responsibility of the Council, she said.

She said: “If they’re not going to take any responsibility, then thieves have got free reign.”

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Although a woman was sat in a car nearby, she doesn’t blame the woman for not getting involved to protect herself.

She added: “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.

“In a way I feel sorry for the thieves that they’re so desperate they need to steal these to make £50, but it will cost £2500 for me to replace, which obviously is more than the car is worth." 

The police are now investigating a report of the attempted theft of a catalytic converter at the car park, Thames Valley Police confirmed.

The force said: “A man was seen trying to remove the catalytic converter from a car, but was disturbed by a member of the public, he left the area with another man in a black 2008-plate Peugeot 308.

“The man is described as being white, of stocky build, around 5ft 9ins tall, with a bald head. He was wearing a blue t-shirt, blue jeans and black trainers.

“Anyone that saw anything suspicious or who has any information can call 101, quoting the reference 43220410576, alternatively you can provide a report online https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/”