Why criminals targeted a car's catalytic converter in Harborough

The brazen gang targeted a Honda Jazz between 5.10pm and 6pm at the town’s busy sports complex on Wednesday November 27.

A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: “We are appealing to anyone who knows anything about this theft to call us on 101 quoting crime number 19*637186.”

The raid comes after a mini-crimewave involving catalytic converters in the area over the last few weeks.

Catalytic converter thefts are also rocketing across the country.

The special devices clean dangerous gases before they leave a vehicle's exhaust pipe.

They are more valuable in hybrid cars because they contain higher concentrations of precious metals and are less corroded.

Criminals are cashing in on a boom in global precious metal prices.

Platinum, palladium and rhodium are all used in converters to capture noxious gases as they flow through a vehicle's exhaust system.

The quantities are small but they are more valuable than gold and silver, making them irresistible to villains.