POLICE have appealed for anyone who may have witnessed a catalytic converter theft in Congresbury to contact them. 

On Monday, February 28, an unknown offender (or unknown offenders) removed the catalytic converter from a black Honda Jazz car.

The Jazz was in the car park of Cadbury Garden Centre close to the store entrance when the theft took place.

Avon and Somerset Police believe it occurred between 3:20pm and 5:20pm. 

Police have asked for anyone who may have witnessed the theft or any suspicious activity to come forward to assist their investigation.

Catalytic converters change toxic substances produced by vehicles, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, into less harmful substances like carbon dioxide and water vapour.

They are targeted by thieves because they contain some valuable metals, such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium, which mean scrap catalytic converters are worth around £400.

According to data obtained by Which?, incidents of catalytic converter theft in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales rose by 104 per cent on average between 2019 and 2020. 

If you have any information, call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5222052711.

You can also fill in the police's online appeals form.

Read more: Suspected would-be thieves arrested in Somerset after tip off from Sussex