Man held after catalytic converters found in car

AN ARREST was made after police found a number of catalytic converters and tools in a hidden car.

Charnwood Police found the vehicle and occupant tucked away in a Loughborough side street after he had initially failed to stop for police.

The vehicle had fled from nearby Barrow where beat officers were on patrol.

A 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of theft.

Charnwood Police force said in Tweet that a suspicious green Honda motor vehicle “made off out of Barrow” after it was sighted during patrols.

Earlier this year, there was the spike in the number of catalytic converter thefts.

Police previously said that the converters, which are part of the exhaust system, contain a number of precious metals and are therefore attractive thieves.

An increase in such thefts earlier in the year was attributed to the spike in the price of these metals.

Police commander for Charnwood, Inspector Mark Botte, praised the work of the beat officer involved in a Tweet saying it was “top work” that was “targeting a wider issue that affects so many people”.

A police spokesperson said: “At around 6.15pm on Monday (November 16) officers saw a car which was believed to be on cloned plates in Barrow upon Soar. The car, a Honda, initially failed to stop for police.

“It subsequently stopped in Craddock Street. Officers carried out a search of the car and found a number of catalytic converters inside.

“A 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of theft.

“He has since been released under investigation and enquiries are continuing.”