Car owners urged to be on guard after spate of catalytic converter thefts Police are linking a series of thefts of catalytic converters from cars in the Bishop's Cleeve area.

Three incidents happened within hours of each other, between last Sunday morning and Monday afternoon.

The offenders targeted vehicles parked on driveways in Bishops Meadow and Bramble Chase, Bishop's Cleeve, and on Gretton Road, Gotherington.

Police believe a small, portable power cutter was used to remove the cat converters from the cars, which included a blue Peugeot 406, a blue Peugeot 406 estate and a silver Kia Sportage Titan estate.

Cat converters contain valuable metals which can fetch several hundred pounds in scrap. Drivers are being urged to safeguard their vehicles wherever possible.

Kim Mowday, Harm Reduction Officer for Gloucestershire Police, said: "There are a number of precautions people can take to cut the chance of being targeted:

• Keep your vehicle in a garage when possible • Look out for people working under cars who are acting suspiciously

• Park in a well-lit busy area

• Fit a catalytic converter clamp or security cage (information on the police-approved Catclamp lock available on 08432 899 075)

• Security-mark and register the metal shell of the converter so if it is stolen and recovered, it will be easier to trace it back to your vehicle

• Weld the converter fixing brackets or bolts in place making removal more difficult

Anyone with information about the thefts should call 101, quoting incident number 347 of 3/2/14