MORE than 1,000 catalytic converters were stolen in the region in the past three years, figures have revealed.
The emissions devices, which often contain valuable precious metals, are worth up to £600 on the black market.
Figures from a recent Freedom of Information request show that from 2020 to 2022 1,116 catalytic converters were stolen in West Yorkshire.
The rise in the thefts occurred mainly from 2018 (39) to 2019 (247).
This increased again the year after (270) before hitting a peak of 660 in 2021.
Between October 1, 2021, and September 30, 2022, 267 catalytic converters were stolen.
A total of 186 were stolen across the whole of 2022.
Nationwide, almost 100,000 thefts of catalytic converters have been recorded in three years, with criminals across the UK stealing 75 per day in 2022.
In 2021, six catalytic converters were stolen from vehicles parked on a car sales forecourt on Lawkholme Lane in Keighley.
Later that year, CCTV footage captured the moment three people attempted to steal one from a man's car outside his home on Clifton Villas in Manningham.
It was only thanks to his brother hearing strange noises that nothing was stolen as he raced out to scare the men off.
West Yorkshire Police said it understands the impact this type of theft can have on drivers.
The force said the crime commonly occurs in shopping centre or hospital car parks.
West Yorkshire Police’s Crime Prevention Lead, Dawn Wilkinson, said: “We understand the impact this crime has on victims in that it renders their vehicles unusable and can also mean expensive repair bills. Something which people could do without during the current financial climate.
“We are working hard with partners, such as car dealerships and forensic property marking companies to tackle this crime and pursue those responsible.
“We would like to ask for the public’s help by reporting any suspicious activity they see around a vehicle, particularly if it has been jacked up and the exhaust is being tampered with or removed in places such as shopping centre or hospital car parks.
“If a crime is in progress, we ask that you do not approach these individuals and immediately call 999.
“We are not complacent and know that those responsible are usually linked to other types of crime, so it is important that we work together to tackle this issue and bring those involved to justice.”
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