Catalytic converter theft

Ganga

Deleted_User said:

olgadapolga said:

Deleted_User said:

Steve182 said:

In the 80's in Slough college car park, someone with a universal Ford key (all Ford keys were pretty much universal then) opened my Cortina and stole my £10 "not screwed down" parcel shelf speakers. 

I noticed they were not working as soon as I turned stereo on, but as it was dark I didn't know they were missing until I arrived home an hour later.

Another time at college I locked my car key in my car. Went to local laundrette to ask for a wire coat hangar. The lady there knew exactly why I wanted it without any explanation by me, and I got back in my car in 2 mins!

The 'universal key" was common place amongst most car manufacturers - especially BL based ones 

Not so uncommon in the mid 90's either. We went to the coast, parked and went off for a few hours, came back to the car, opened it with the key (remote central locking was extra back then), got in the car but couldn't figure out why it looked different. We then twigged that we were sat in the wrong car. Beat a hasty retreat (relocking the car that wasn't ours, obviously) back to our Fiesta. 

As for the catalytic converter issue, the staff at the local hospital are always having theirs stolen. Plus, last year some idiot was nicking one from a car in a garage and got crushed to death under the car he was stealing it from:

https://www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-51326361.amp?amp_js_v=a6&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQKKAFQArABIIACAw==#aoh=16247829430355&csi=1&referrer=https://www.google.com&amp_tf=From %1$s

I really want to say "serves him right" but that would be cruel ?

What would be less cruel was if all the gang were under the car when it fell .

[Deleted User]

facade said:

Deleted_User said:

facade said:

coffeehound said:

Another plus for EVs then, or do they have anything nickable?

I should imagine a whole industry will spring up nicking something off them, if it is "only" the charging cable for the copper, when there are more about

How about the Lithium from the batteries? 

They might take the whole car to strip for the batteries, but getting at the battery isn't a 1 minute job while the other 3 blokes menace anyone approaching them with knives & hammers. There might actually be enough time to round  up  enough vigilantes to take them on.

Mad Max here we come ?

facade

Deleted_User said:

Mad Max here we come ?

All the Police do if you call them is tell you not to confront catalyst thieves. They know the thieves will be long gone unless there is actually a free Police car literally in the next street. 

What do they expect is going to happen?

[Deleted User]

facade said:

Deleted_User said:

Mad Max here we come ?

All the Police do if you call them is tell you not to confront catalyst thieves. They know the thieves will be long gone unless there is actually a free Police car literally in the next street. 

What do they expect is going to happen?

One word VIGILANTES

[Deleted User]

facade said:

Deleted_User said:

facade said:

coffeehound said:

Another plus for EVs then, or do they have anything nickable?

I should imagine a whole industry will spring up nicking something off them, if it is "only" the charging cable for the copper, when there are more about

How about the Lithium from the batteries? 

They might take the whole car to strip for the batteries, but getting at the battery isn't a 1 minute job while the other 3 blokes menace anyone approaching them with knives & hammers. There might actually be enough time to round  up  enough vigilantes to take them on.

They'll start driving low loders, pick up the whole car and strip them down at leisure !

Grumpy_chap

Deleted_User said:

facade said:

Deleted_User said:

Mad Max here we come ?

All the Police do if you call them is tell you not to confront catalyst thieves. They know the thieves will be long gone unless there is actually a free Police car literally in the next street. 

What do they expect is going to happen?

One word VIGILATES

"Vigilate"
To monitor, watch over, control

As in what they do in the school exam.