Allotments 4 All

Went to the only garden centre in Derby that sells Seasol this morning, and was in about 10 minutes. Drove home, and the engine sounded very odd, an odd noise every time I accelerated. OH came home and had a look in the engine, seemed OK, drove it for a bit and agreed something was wrong!

Looked underneath.....and found that a large chunk of our exhaust had been sawn off, including the converter! So, now waiting for the Police to arrive...apparently there was a similar catalytic converter theft reported near the garden centre, so that must have been where it disappeared........I'm fuming!!! >:( >:( >:(

I am so sorry this has happened to you, how awful not to be able to leave a car for 10 minutes without something being pinched :'(

 :o :o :o :o :o :o :o

Don't know what to say...that's just incredible!

Blimey :o
Just when you think something couldn't possibly happen it does >:(
I hope you get it sorted and they catch  the ****s

Do you mind me asking, Deb, which garden centre it was, I'm coffee-ing at Wyevale next week.....or was planning to.....

At Chester Zoo car park quite a few went 'missing' recently on the same day.

That must have been quite difficult to do in 10 mins.

What a bizarre theft.

It's increasing common. In 2007/08 there was loads of media coverage saying catalytic converters were being stolen in the USA because they contained around £150 worth of platinum, palladium, and rhodium the values of which have gone up even more since. Unsurprisingly it suddenly became a very popular type of theft over here a short time after it was drawn to everyones attention by the media. It only takes around 6 minutes to cut out a catalytic converter with a cordless reciprocating saw but it is a loud process so normally only happens in secluded areas.

Most car parks have CCTV cameras. I suppose theives are targeting those who do not. But it is surprising just how many cameras there are around.

I feel sure that they will have been observed on one or another, just depends on whether there is some one willing to look through loads of recordings. 

No pun intended, but I hope they get their fingers burnt.
If they only realise that this could have been the only mode of transport for disabled people.
It makes me so angry that there is no justice for those who have had injustice done against them.
When will the law get changed to support the victim and not the criminal.
I am sorry to hear what has happened to your car Deb, but it just shows us all that nothing today is sacred.

Quote from: dtw on May 14, 2010, 23:04:44
That must have been quite difficult to do in 10 mins.

What a bizarre theft.

No, it's not. We've had 2 get stolen at work and they were in and out in minutes.

Deb - you need to report it to the police. And which garden centre was it?

Sorry to hear that Deb...  :(

QuoteIt only takes around 6 minutes to cut out a catalytic converter with a cordless reciprocating saw but it is a loud process so normally only happens in secluded areas.

they use hydraulic cutters these days!! almost silent, and VERY quick.

Sorry I've not replied sooner I've been on nights, OH had to drop me off in the van as car unusealble of course...... ::)

It was the Derby Garden Centre near Little Eaton, I only went there because it is the only place that stocks Seasol, so my fertiliser has proven to be rather exensive this year.....

We reported it to the police the same day,  2 nice WPC's came round and took the details, they think a gang might be operating in the area as another was reported the same day in Spondon which is near. They are going to check if they have CCTV on the car park area, I do remember 2 vans being parked near where I was, they must have watched me....! :-\ I do wonder how many others have been nicked from people who just haven't found what the problem is yet, they might not realise until they jack the car up at a garage...what a nasty shock for them. :(

I'm still fuming two days later!!! Grrrrrrr! >:( >:( >:(

Thanks, Deb, I'll warn my mate who goes there at least weekly.  Just can't imagine how they get away with it....has there been anything in the local paper warning people if there is a gang around?  Now I see why when we go to Ward's Metals there are is usually a bobby hanging around.