Gone in 60 seconds! Shocking moment thieves jack up a car in the street before removing its catalytic converter in less than a minute
- Footage shows BMW on Harcourt Road in Nottingham at 2.36am during incident
- The suspects take a jack to Toyota, lift it and one dives under to rip out the device
- It was the latest in a spate of catalytic converter thefts nationally in recent weeks
Brazen thieves stole a catalytic converter in less than a minute as CCTV caught them jack up a car on a city street.
Footage shows a BMW with its boot open drive down Harcourt Road in Nottingham at 2.36am before it stops and two men get out.
The suspects take a jack to a white Toyota, lift the car and one dives under to rip out the device during the Thursday theft.
CCTV footage shows a BMW with its boot open drive down Harcourt Road in Nottingham at 2.37am before it stops and two men get out (pictured)
The suspects take a jack to a white Toyota, lift the car and one dives under to rip out the device (pictured) during the Thursday theft
It was the latest in a spate of catalytic converter raids in recent weeks, as Nottinghamshire Police warn drivers to be more ‘vigilant’ and report suspicious activity.
The county saw 90 cases reported between July 1 and October 6 and more recent incidents are under investigation.
Two men were arrested earlier this month after officers recovered nearly 200 catalytic converters worth around £20,000.
The crime (pictured) was the latest in a spate of catalytic converter raids in recent weeks, as Nottinghamshire Police warn drivers to be more ‘vigilant’ and report suspicious activity
Detective Inspector Steve Wragg, of Nottinghamshire Police, said the thefts were a regional and national issue.
He said: ‘I want to reassure people that we have a team of officers who are working hard to find those responsible and bring them to justice.
Nottinghamshire saw 90 cases reported between July 1 and October 6. Pictured: The device
‘As our CCTV clip shows, it can take offenders only a matter of seconds to remove a catalytic converter which is why we’re re-appealing to members of the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to us.’
Catalytic converters, which turn vehicle exhaust emissions into less toxic gases, are targeted because they contain high value metals.
In recent months there has been a spate of incidents across the county, mostly happening in car parks and open spaces but also on residential streets.
Honda and Toyota vehicles are some of the most common vehicle types to be targeted.
DI Wragg added: ‘Our advice when leaving vehicles in locations such as car parks and open spaces is to try to park in well-lit areas with higher footfall which offers natural security as opposed to more secluded areas.
‘People should also consider protective marking, and check with their vehicle’s manufacturer to see if there are any protective guards they can purchase.’
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