POLICE WARNING: Be on look out for catalytic converter thieves in Boston area

Cars were targeted in five separate incidents in the Boston area and other parts of the county on New Year’s Eve.

Cars were targeted in Cowbit, Swineshead, Holbeach St Johns, Woodthorpe Ave in Boston and Willesby Rd in Spalding.

Police say catalytic converters, which are part of the exhaust system, are a target for thieves as they are coated in a metal that has a high value.

Thieves cut the catalytic converter from a parked car and sell them on to scrap metal dealers.

A spokesman for Lincolnshire Police said: “Please be aware if you are offered a second-hand cat convertor, handling stolen goods is a serious offence and attracts a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment. You have a responsibility to test the provenance of anything you buy.”

Police say it is difficult to completely stop the threat but suggest people park in a garage or secure area if possible, or in well-lit and busy areas.

They add that if your catalytic converter is ‘bolt on’ consider having the bolts welded shut.

They also suggest people should be aware of anyone looking underneath or working on cars in their area and use a security marking kit to register your catalytic converter.

Police ask anyone with information on the incidents to call 101, and use the following references:

Cowbit – incident 159 of 30 December reported at 12.27 pm.

Swineshead – incident 416 of 30 December reported at 9.32 pm.

Holbeach St Johns – incident 14 of 31 December reported at 12.49 am.

Woodthorpe Ave in Boston – incident 423 of 30 December reported at 10.09 pm.

Willesby Rd in Spalding – incident 447 of 30 December reported at 11.17 pm.