Independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers is this week launching a new and innovative campaign to tackle the issue of “lost CATS” across the eastern region. [23 January 2013]

CATalytic converter thefts, which has seen a dramatic increase in the last three years across the UK, can run into the thousands for a victim to replace and can be extremely inconvenient. A CATalytic convertor is part of the exhaust system and thieves steal them for the precious metals they contain.

The aim of the charity’s campaign is to encourage the public to play their part in giving information about this type of crime – with metal theft as a whole costing the UK economy around £770 million per year. Although metal theft in general is seeing a steady decrease across the eastern region, due to various measures introduced by Police, the theft of CATalytic converters is still on the increase and can often be connected to other forms of serious, organised crime.

Terry Pearce, from the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit, said “We are funding Crimestoppers to run this campaign not only because it is costing the UK economy millions but because of the human impact it can have on the community. We have heard of ambulance service vehicles being put of action due to this criminal activity which is truly despicable – innocent lives are being put at risk due to the greed of thieves. Anyone with a vehicle is potentially at risk of being a victim but in particular van users and 4x4 owners”.

Ann Scott, Crimestoppers Eastern Regional Manager, commented: “Every day people trying to get to work, taking the children to school or driving their elderly neighbour to the doctors are being affected by this expensive and inconvenient crime. YOU can play your part in helping to keep our community safe by contacting us with information on CATalytic convertor thefts, or indeed any type of metal theft, you might know about. We want to know who is stealing them, who is handling them and where they are going”.

She continued “You have nothing to fear by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers. We never take any personal details or ask for your name and we don’t trace or record your record. Those giving information will not have to give a statement to Police or go to court. In the 24 years we have been running we have never revealed anyone’s identity. You could even get a cash reward of up to £1000 for your information”.

The campaign kicks off this week across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire with 120,000 flyers being sent into hotspot areas asking for information. The campaign lasts for three months and will also feature adverts on local radio stations, adverts in local magazines, targeted Facebook adverts, community events by Crimestoppers volunteers and promotional work at the ports.

If you have any information on CATalytic convertor theft or any other metal theft then please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through our secure online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. Rewards can only be claimed for information passed to our 0800 555 111 number.

Campaign Posters (available to download)

Weigh Up Your Options - Campaign Poster

Lost Cat - Campaign Poster

Let the Cat Out of the Bag - Campaign Poster

A5 Postcard Info on Catalytic Converters

-ENDS-

For more information on this Crimestoppers campaign please email ann.scott@crimestoppers-uk.org

Notes to Editors

• 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 which can also be accessed by internet-enabled mobile phones.
• Around 22 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 almost 118,000 arrests and charges. Over £124 million worth of goods has been recovered and over £271 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 1,700 arrests to date.
• Crimestoppers UK was founded by Lord Ashcroft, KCMG PC, 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.