POLICE have issued a warning after a spate of catalytic converter thefts in the town.

The parts were stolen from four hybrid cars between 3pm on Tuesday, December 1, and 12pm on Thursday, December 4.

Vehicles parked on Fisher Avenue in Longford, Hastings Avenue in Orford, Longshaw Street in Bewsey and Howson Road in Orford were targeted.

Two men dressed in black were seen stealing a catalytic converter from the latter shortly before 7am yesterday, arriving and fleeing in a grey Mini Cooper.

Cheshire Police’s enquiries into the incidents are ongoing.

Detective sergeant Tom Hall said: “The cars were targeted whilst parked at the side of a road or on a driveway.

“Offenders use specialist tools to remove catalytic converters from vehicles.

“If you saw anything suspicious in the areas that the catalytic converter thieves struck please call the team here at Warrington Police Station on 101.

“The same goes for anyone who believes that they may know the identities of the thieves, or have CCTV or dashcam footage of them.”

These incidents come as it was revealed by the Warrington Guardian revealed that catalytic converter thefts in the town had risen by 2,700 per cent in one year.

Inspector Anton Sullivan, of the force’s roads and crime unit, added: “Catalytic converter thefts are on the rise across the country, with offenders predominantly targeting hybrid vehicles.

“I would like to reassure residents that we are doing all we can to tackle catalytic converter thieves operating in Warrington or anywhere else in Cheshire.

“We respond to any report of a catalytic converter theft as a matter of urgency and ensure that all subsequent lines of enquiry are carried out.

“In addition, we react swiftly to any information we receive regarding people suspected to be involved in the thefts of catalytic converters.

“We have made several arrests in relation to catalytic converter thefts in Cheshire over the past year and recently secured charges regarding such thefts in the Warrington area.

“Car owners can play a significant role in tackling catalytic converter thefts by being vigilant, reviewing any security measures they have in place and calling the police on 101 as soon as possible if they see anyone removing catalytic converters or acting suspiciously in car parks, on driveways or anywhere else where vehicles are left.

“In addition, we urge scrap metal dealers to be mindful if they are ever offered catalytic converters or exhaust systems and to contact us if they suspect that they could have been stolen.”

Anyone with any information on the incidents can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.