FIRST: THEFT OF CATALYTIC CONVERTERS:
As you will see below we have been severely targeted right across RBWM, with multiple thefts of catalytic converters from both cars parked in car parks and on the roads.
There is little we can do to prevent this, other than using your eyes and ears. The cars are targeted by make model and age.
A hatchback on false plates, drives up with four people inside, the driver stays inside for a quick getaway. The other three get out beside the targeted car. One runs a jack under the car, the others get under the car and use a small hand held battery angle grinder, to cut through the exhaust pipe, in front and behind cat converter we used to it call the baffle, to deaden the noise of a car and remove exhaust fumes. The cat converter drops to the ground, is picked up and dumped in the back of the car. The whole process is well organised they are good at it and it takes about a minute.
How do you come in ? We cannot be everywhere. If you see a car four up, pull alongside a car and men get out and crawl under a car 999 it immediately, with a description of the men and the car colour, make, model and index, if you can get it.
Generally, they are on fake plates, which they often change, to hide from our ANPR cameras (Automatic Number Plate Recognition), which are all around the Borough.
What will probably draw your attention, is the noise of the angle grinder severing the exhaust pipe it is noisy !
In theme park Car parks of course, the cars will be left all day. People arrive at about 10 a.m. and leave when the park closes, so apart from latecomers arriving in the car park, it is easy pickings, when the car park is deserted, as everyone is in the park and wont be back for hours.
If you have one of the cars targeted, Toyota, Honda Jazz, Lexus, etc. etc. etc., you can fit a cage over the converter, but this costs over £150. There is also a marking plate, you can have attached, but of course, the thieves will only see this after removing the converter and anyway, the outer metal skin, is cut off and discarded.
The traditional advice has been to park rearwards into a parking space with the tailgate as close as possible to a wall / garage door, to make this as difficult as possible, but the thieves have found it quicker to jack up the exhaust pipe side of the car and go for it, from the side, rather than the rear. Often
. They do not bother to use a jack point and lever the car up, using the bodywork, causing enormous damage.
The converters were traditionally stolen for the precious metals inside Platinum etc. hence the replacement costs of sometimes over £1,000, but most modern versions of these cars, have had these metals removed. The thieves are not choosey. They just take them all, just in case !
I am sorry, I cannot give more reassuring advice. All we can say is park in the most visible spot as possible, to passers by. They are brazen, but do not like being watched.
CRIME
I have attached reference numbers to each crime report. If you live in the vicinity of any of the crimes mentioned and have CCTV or a video doorbell, can you please check the footage. If you have any that might be of interest to the police, can you please make contact with us, quoting reference number given.
Alternatively you can call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or email -
www.crimestoppers-uk.orgMAIDENHEAD CENTRAL:
maidenheadcentralgeographical@thamesvalley.police.uk13/7 Wednesday 3 p.m. Blackamoor Lane. Car window smashed Purse and contents stolen. Ref. No: 43220309249
14/7 Thursday 10.30 a.m. / 1 p.m. Kidwells Close.. Bike left outside flat stolen. A grey, Muddy Fox Hooligan Rogue bike. Ref. No: 43220311071
RIVERSIDE & BELMONT:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
MAIDENHEAD WEST
maidenheadwestgeographical@thamesvalley.police.ukBISHAM, COOKHAM, HURLEY, THE WALTHAMS, LITTLEWICK GREEN & KNOWL HILL:
15/7 Friday 1.15 a.m. Florence Villas, Bottle Lane, Littlewick green. Car index plates stolen from a VW Golf. Ref. No: 43220311850
PINKNEYS GREEN & FURZE PLATT:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
MAIDENHEAD SOUTH
maidenheadsouthgeographical@thamesvalley.police.ukBOYN HILL, COX GREEN & WOODLANDS PARK
12/7 13/7 Tuesday 8 p.m. / Wednesday 12.40 p.m. Farm, Harvest Hill Road. The aggrieved arrived to find the farm gate was open horse trailer and quad bike had been stolen. The offender had unscrewed the lock to gain entry. Quad bike is bright green, with no index plate. Repeat victim. Previously a truck had been stolen. Ref. No: 43220308926
OLDFIELD, BRAY & HOLYPORT:
13/7 Wednesday 12.20 p.m. The Causeway, Bray. Next to the tennis courts. Someone piled up some wood against the hedge in an attempt to set it on fire. They could not get it to set alight. Ref. No: 43220308900
13/7 Wednesday 9.40 p.m. / 9.45 p.m. Monkey Island Lane. Car had stones through drivers side and rear windows. Ref. No: 43220311911
15/7 Friday 9 a.m. Waltham Road / Butchers Lane., White Waltham. A report from a member of the public that they have found what appears to be the contents of a glove box. Documents, MOTs DVAL paperwork and letters with an address of Windmill Drive. If that is you. Please make contact quoting R. No: 43220312156 Many thanks to that member of the public, who took the time and effort to report it to us.
