MOTORISTS across Fenland - particularly in the Wisbech area - have today been urged to be vigilant following a spate of catalytic converter thefts.

Police believe the rise in thefts - which has seen five vehicles targeted in the space of a week - is linked to an increase in the cost of scrap metal.

There were four thefts last Tuesday night, with a Ford Transit van in High Road, Guyhirn, and a Ford Ranger truck in High Road, Wisbech St Mary, targeted.

Meanwhile 20 catalytic converters and 30 batteries were stolen from a container at an industrial yard in St Mary’s Road, Ramsey, during the same night.

The following night, a converter was taken from a Ford Transit in Barton Road, Wisbech, and thieves struck again on a Ford Transit in Leverington Common, Wisbech, on Thursday night.

In the latest incident, thieves targeted a Ford Ranger in Huntingdon Road, Chatteris, between 6.30pm last night and 4.30am today.

The thefts follow another incident in Willock Lane, Wisbech St Mary, on Wednesday, November 17.

Det Con Tade Toseland said: “We have seen a large increase in the number of catalytic converters being stolen in the Wisbech area. We believe the rise is due to an increase in the cost of scrap metal.

“I would urge motorists to reverse their vehicles onto their drives, as close as they can to a wall or fence to prevent thieves from getting access to the exhaust.”

CONTACT: Police on 0345 456 4564 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.