Van security and catalytic converter theft...

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Andrew Hill • May 20, 2013 • Van security

It’s every van driver’s worst nightmare. You start your day’s work by hopping into your vehicle and firing up the ignition — only to discover the engine sounds like a light aircraft in a machine gun dogfight.

Yes, that tell-tale roar means your catalytic converter has been stolen.

Sadly, it’s a crime that’s on the rise. Police forces across the UK are recording a spike in thefts, with criminals scenting the easy money to be made from precious metals such as gold, platinum, palladium and rhodium that are found inside the catalytic converters.

And while each catalytic converter will only scoop the thieves a few hundred pounds, they can cost upwards of £2,000 to replace. Worse, increasing numbers of insurers will only pay out for the first two thefts per vehicle — after that, you have to dig into your own pocket to cover the replacements.

Catalytic converter theft — An easy crime

It’s unfortunate, but catalytic converters are easy pickings. On many LCVs, they’re secured by nothing more complex than four bolts — and thieves aren’t averse to using battery powered saws and angle grinders if they need to.

The simplicity of the crime, combined with the high road clearance of many LCVs, makes it the work of a few minutes for a thief to get under your vehicle, unbolt the catalytic converter and make off — leaving you high and dry, and facing the hassle and expense of finding a replacement.

In these tough economic times, it’s hard to imagine that the spike in opportunistic catalytic converter thefts will drop any time soon. And few factory-standard vehicles are safe: the thieves target LCVs ranging from Ford Transits and Mercedes Sprinters right through to Nissan pickups, Peugeot Boxers and Renault Masters.

So, if you’ve got a van, you’re almost certainly at risk. The trick is knowing how to make the criminals’ job much harder, if not impossible.

Luckily there is a solution — the ‘CATLOC’ or ‘Cat Guard’. 

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Catalytic converter protection

If you fit a Cat Guard to your vehicle, it helps prevent catalytic converter theft in three ways:

  • Deterrence - Flashing LED light warns thieves the protective device is fitted
  • Prevention - Any attempt to remove the securing bolts or cut the exhaust pipe will result in a loud alarm
  • AlertsYou can even receive instant text messages if an attempt is made to remove the catalytic converter

You can even use the Cat Guard to protect your spare wheel and sound an alarm if your bonnet catch is released — giving you more than just catalytic converter security. 

The cost of catalytic converter security

There’s no denying that paying for Cat Guards for your whole fleet adds to your fleet operating costs. But compare the price of protection with the cost and hassle of replacing stolen catalytic converters — not to mention rising insurance premiums. When you do, catalytic converter security begins to look more and more like a wise investment.

But if the cost of protecting your fleet begins to look unaffordable, you could always consider hiring your LCVs. If you do, you can not only ask for vehicles with pre-installed Cat Guards, but you can also insist on other security measures such as OBD protection devices, anti-pick locks, GPS and more.

You can enjoy all these features for a minimal extra payment per vehicle per month, meaning you benefit from a highly secure fleet and don’t have to dip into your capital reserves to buy the security equipment you need.

So, don’t just protect your catalytic converters — acquire a secure fleet without unnecessary capital outlay. And if you have any other tips for protecting your vehicles from thieves, please share them with other readers using the comments section below. Learning from each other helps us to stop the thieves — together.

And in the interest of learning more, you might want to check out our free guide on van security. Download it for free below.

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