THIEVES have been ripping off catalytic converters from cars across Southend and Rochford.

The part, designed to convert toxic emissions, can fetch up to £50 as scrap.

Although the shell has little value, the inner filtration system contains platinum.

The biggest raid recently happened at the Toomey garage, Cherry Orchard Way, Southend. The business was left about £3,500 out of pocket.

It happened on Friday night.

Thieves managed to rip the parts from two new cars at the Vauxhall dealership, one from a car at the Renault dealership and one from a car at the Peugeot delearship.

The most recent theft happened at Strawberry Fields, near Tesco supermarket, off the A127, Westcliff, at about 4am on Tuesday. It is believed thieves used vans to drive the parts away.

It can cost £1,000 to replace one of the parts and it is not easy to protect vehicles against the thefts.

It is possible to buy a specialised cage, costing about £250, which fits around the catalytic convertor, to deter criminals.

The thieves have been targeting Ford Ranger and Mercedes Sprinter vans in particular.

An Essex police spokesman said: “We urge motorists, especially those who own Ford Ranger or Mercedes Sprinter vans, to have their catalytic converters engraved or stamped with heat-resistant paint, following a spate of thefts across the county.

“It can take just minutes for a thief to remove the catalytic converter from your vehicle, but now it can take even less time to get yours marked. The catalytic converters can be engraved or stamped with the owner’s postcode and also marked with heat-resistant silver paint.”

The markings mean when police stop anyone with catalytic converters they believe to be stolen, officers can check them for the markings and trace the owner.

Scrapyards can also check for these markings and alert police.

The spokesman added: “With metal prices remaining high, we would encourage all drivers of utility or commercial vehicles to mark their vehicles and make catalytic converters unattractive to criminals.”

A CHARITY has been left with a £1,000 bill after thieves took a catalytic converter from its minibus.

Bosses at Peaceful Place, St Lukes Place, Rochford, which cares for people with early onset dementia, have now had to pay to hire another minibus.

Fundraising manager Celia Riley, 54, said: “These thieves are the lowest of the low.

“The minibus has got Peaceful Place on the side of it, so it’s not as if they don’t know who they are stealing from. This is money we could well have spent somewhere else.”

The charity also suffered problems in the spring when yobs threw stones at the minibus in Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff.

The bus had people with dementia on board at the time, who were left badly shaken.

Mrs Riley, who stressed how important the minibus was for its members, said: “They love going out in it. It keeps them active in the community and they get out and about, which they wouldn’t be able to do otherwise.

“If anyone would like to give us any donations towards the cost, we would be very gratefully received.”

The theft of the catalytic converter happened between 5pm on Friday and 8am on Monday.

Anyone with information should call police on 101.

To make a donation to Peaceful Place, call 01702 546476 or visit the website www.peacefulplace.co.uk