Thieves have targeted ambulance service vehicles for their catalytic converters, Gwent Police has confirmed.
Over the last year, 31 catalytic converters have been stolen from vehicles in the force area of Gwent. In particular, exhausts on Mercedes Sprinter vans have been targeted. Tiny amounts of precious metals inside catalytic converters make them attractive to thieves.
In the last two months, four ambulance service vehicles in Gwent have been put out of action due to exhausts being stolen.
Three exhaust systems were stolen in Pontypool and Abercarn on the evening of Tuesday November 20.
Officers also seized two vehicles believed to be connected to the thefts – a Ford Transit van and a Ford Mondeo.
Commercial premises with vans have also been targeted, as well as individual vehicles on the roadside.
The exhaust unit and catalytic converters are removed, sometimes without causing damage to the vehicles or activating alarm systems. Police say it can take as little as three minutes to remove a catalytic converter.
Superintendent Glyn Fernquest said officers have been working to make possible victims aware of this type of theft.
He said: “Storage yards or warehouses storing fleet vehicles have been targeted because the thieves can steal from multiple vehicles.
“We have given crime prevention leaflets to owners of such premises in Gwent, but all owners of vehicles with a high ground clearance need to be aware. Some thieves are quite brazen and may target vehicles which are parked in a public place, or even the owner’s driveway overnight.
“I find it despicable that ambulance service vehicles have been put out of action due to this criminal activity – innocent lives are being put at risk due to the greed of thieves.”