Massive Crackdown on Catalytic Converter Crime in East London
Cat converter crooks beware! In a huge joint operation, police smashed a criminal gang stealing shiny catalytic converters packed with precious metals from cars across London, Kent, and Essex. These stolen parts are often shipped abroad for metal stripping and resale.
150 Officers Stage Blitz Raids Across East London and Beyond
At dawn today, 150 officers from the Met, backed by Kent Police, Essex Police, British Transport Police, and Government Agency Intelligence Network, swooped on properties in Millfields Road, Lower Clapton, and locations along the Essex coast.
- Eight rapid-entry warrants executed simultaneously
- Met Dog Section and National Policing Air Support involved
- Two men arrested for conspiracy to steal catalytic converters
- Another man nabbed for over 25 thefts
Police uncovered more than 18 stolen catalytic converters, plus tools of the trade including angle grinders, car jacks, and saws. They also seized nine vehicles with fake plates, thousands in cash, and drugs.
Hit on the Metal Processing Plant and Stolen Freight
At a Hackney metal plant, cops found dozens of stolen catalytic converters and smoldering machinery used for metal processing, along with stolen metal believed to be from railways and telecom masts. Meanwhile, on the Essex coast, police stopped a shipping container loaded with stolen metal and car parts bound for the Ivory Coast for illegal refining.
Senior Officers Pledge to Keep Up the Fight
Detective Chief Inspector James Stanyer, Met Lead for Motor Vehicle Crime: “These thieves steal in plain sight, terrorising car owners and the public. This operation is the result of a year-long probe by multiple forces sharing vital intelligence.”
“We now understand how these criminals operate and will use this knowledge to stop future thefts. Toyota’s national catalytic converter marking scheme, which the Met helped create, will help reunite stolen parts with their owners and cut crime at its source.”
Police continue to hunt others linked to the organised ring. The Government Agency Intelligence Network hailed the operation as a prime example of agencies working together to dismantle serious organised crime in London.
Protect Your Ride
Catalytic converter theft is booming, but car owners can fight back. For crime prevention tips, visit the Met Police’s vehicle safety advice page: www.met.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention.
