Crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers is calling for information on catalytic converter thieves across West Midlands region.

The campaign is being run across West Midlands, Warwickshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Staffordshire.  The aim is to increase the amount of information coming to Crimestoppers about thieves of catalytic converters and other metal.  

Hundreds of ‘cats’ have been stolen across the region, mainly from high vehicles such as 4 x 4’s and lorries as they are easier for the thief to get underneath.

Crimestoppers Regional Manager for West Midlands, Pauline Hadley said: “Crimestoppers wants to encourage the public to fight back against the metal thieves who are creating severe disruption for local people and costing millions to the UK economy.

“We want to scrap the metal thieves and those who care can help us by giving any information they might have, about those stealing metal, anonymously to Crimestoppers. We don’t want to know who you are, only what you know and you might even qualify for a reward which is also paid anonymously.”

To pass on information about catalytic converter and metal thieves, or any crime, please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through our secure online form.

ENDS

Metal thefts cost the UK economy around £770 million per year and cause major disruption to individuals and communities alike and include the theft of manhole covers, lead from church roofs and the stealing of war memorials.

For more information on Crimestoppers please contact Pauline Hadley on 07743 895643 or at pauline.hadley@crimestoppers-uk.org

Notes to editors

• The cost of metal theft to the UK is estimated to be £770 million per year and the stat is provided by The Home Office at time of campaign being put together.
• Crimestoppers is an independent charity which helps the police to solve crimes, making communities safer. It does this by operating the 24/7 telephone number 0800 555 111 which people can ring to pass on information about     crimes anonymously. They can also use our ‘giving information’ form via our website www.crimestoppers-uk.org and through their mobiles.
• Around 23 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers.
• Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received over a million actionable calls, resulting in over 112,000 arrests and charges. Over £117 million worth of goods has been recovered and over £222 million worth of drugs has been seized.
• In 2005, Crimestoppers launched the UK’s Most Wanted on its website which allows the public to view images of criminals and pass on vital information about their whereabouts. It has been highly successful with over 1,000 arrests to date.
• Crimestoppers UK was founded by Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, Chairman of Trustees. In 1988, he launched Crimestoppers in the Metropolitan Police area. Crimestoppers’ ‘call to action’ is built on a three-way partnership between the business community, the police and the media.