A security marking firm has announced a police-backed, national scheme to tackle catalytic converter theft. Drivers will be able to have their catalytic converters marked with an invisible and unremovable solution that has been proven to deter thieves and help police identify stolen property.
[caption id="attachment_28447" align="alignright" width="300"] Marking catalytic converter[/caption]
The scheme is run by SmartWater and is backed by police. Once marked, the converters are recorded on an asset database.
Garages (and other aftermarket businesses) can sign up to become authorised registration centres to apply the marking, which will also give them an additional revenue stream.
The scheme follows the success of an initiative led by the Home Office funded National Infrastructure Crime Reduction Partnership and supported by ToyotaUK and SmartWater, which achieved a 57% reduction in catalytic converter theft. Greater accessibility is now being enabled with the support of aftermarket partners, such as MOT test stations, garages and dealerships, who are invited to come on board.
Gary Higgins, Chief Operations Officer, added, “There is clear appetite within the UK automotive market for a simple and easy solution to combat vehicle crime. SmartWaterHT is a highly-proven deterrent to criminals and rogue scrap metal dealers as it makes stolen parts too hot to handle. I believe that, together with the support of garages, service centres and the police, we can continue to drive down this crime and create a better and safer society for all.”
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