EXCLUSIVE: Moment brazen thieves steal catalytic converter from NHS worker’s car in affluent Dulwich Village for second time in six months
- The catalytic converter robbery happened in Dulwich Village, southeast London
- Local residents are worried from the rise in crime in the area
- Rare metals that are found in catalytic converters are more valuable than gold
A shocking video captures the moment brazen thieves steal a catalytic converter from an NHS worker’s car in affluent Dulwich Village for the second time in six months.
An NHS worker from Dulwich Village, southeast London, caught the three thieves on video as they stole the catalytic converter from her car on Thursday around 8.30pm after putting her children to bed.
The woman, who has requested to remain anonymous, reported that she first became aware of the thieves when she heard a loud noise from outside, believing it to be construction work.
The video shows the thieves using a car jack to access the catalytic converter from underneath as a loud grinding noise can be heard across the street.
She recalled how she ‘flung’ the front door open and was met with three men who wore all-black and whose faces were covered with balaclavas.
The video captures the moment thieves are caught stealing a catalytic converter from an NHS worker’s car in Dulwich Village for the second time in six months
The woman attempted to scare the thieves away by shouting at them, however, they were unphased and continued to work on the car.
She said: ‘I thought that they might get scared when someone saw them but they just carried on. One of them was high-fiving their mates.’
The woman said that her husband chased the thieves and ran down the street after them in an attempt to catch them and identify their vehicle.
Police were also contacted and notified of the crime.
She said: ‘It’s quite scary, people with young kids live around this area, it’s very scary. We don’t know what to do.
The NHS worker claims that there has been a rise in crime in the area as neighbours in adjoining streets have also faced vehicle-related thefts.
She added: ‘It’s horrendous here at the moment. It’s massively on the up.’
The witness claims that the three thieves were dressed in all-black clothing and wore balaclavas
The family also faced the same theft six months ago in August and is distressed that it is becoming a frequent occurrence in the area.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: ‘Police were called at 20:30hrs on Thursday, 2 February, to a report of a theft in Aysgarth Road, SE21. Officers attended and it was reported that a catalytic converter had been stolen from a car that was parked outside a house.
Read More: Catalytic converter thefts soar due to rocketing value
‘Officers took a description of the suspects and carried out a search of the area, however, no suspects were identified. They await CCTV from a nearby property.
‘Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 6937/02Feb.
‘Information can also be shared anonymously with the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.’
Thefts of catalytic converters have more than doubled in the last year due to the rocketing value of precious metals.
Some police forces have even seen them rise by more than 400 per cent.
The reasoning behind the rise is that the rare metals found in catalytic converters are more valuable than gold and can be easily sold – a single converter can fetch as much as £400.
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