Metal Markets Create New Crime Wave
We’ve heard of lead being ripped from church roofs and cabling being stolen for its copper content, now a new ‘craze’ has hit as a result of soaring metal prices. Thieves are taking their power tools to vehicles to cut out catalytic converters and sell the platinum inside them on the black market.
The platinum is used in catalytic converters to oxidise carbon monoxide and other hydrocarbons and although only a tiny amount (less than 1oz) can be found in each vehicle, it could still net over £600 for a thief. Larger vehicles have larger catalytic converters and consequently more platinum to steal, so vans are a particularly attractive target.
The process is made easier for them as the converters can be accessed without the need for jacking up or physically breaking into the vehicle, so the whole theft can be over within a couple of minutes.
Platinum theft from converters has already swept America, and as with most fashions from across the pond, we can expect the British to follow suit.
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