Arrest made in connection with catalytic converter thefts in Sussex

A man has been arrested on suspicion of a series of thefts of catalytic converters from vehicles across Sussex.

Officers from the Specialist Enforcement Unit (SEU) made the arrest at an address near Dartford in Kent on Monday, January 10.

The 55-year-old was taken into custody on suspicion of ten counts of theft from a motor vehicle.

The alleged offences relate to thefts which took place in January 2021 in Eastbourne, Bexhill, St Leonards, Etchingham, Bognor and Littlehampton.

Catalytic converters are devices fitted to vehicle exhausts to reduce the amount of dangerous gases emitted. They are often targeted by thieves as they contain valuable metals and can be quickly removed.

Catalytic converter theft most frequently occurs in car parks, but they can happen anywhere. Thieves may then sell these converters via scrapyards, online, or ship them out of the country.

Detective Sergeant Tom Duffy, from the SEU’s investigations team, said: “The man has been released on conditional police bail whilst further enquiries are carried out.

“This arrest is part of ongoing investigations by our SEU investigations team to catch offenders and deal robustly with those involved in the theft of catalytic converters.”

The 55-year-old man is on conditional police bail until February 8.

Signs of catalytic converter theft include a vehicle being raised using a car jack in a car park or residential are, and a loud drilling or cutting sound coming from underneath the vehicle.

Further advice on prevention of this crime is available online here.