MOTORISTS are urged to be vigilant after catalytic converters were stolen from cars in Wirral.

Since the beginning of the year, police have recorded 29 such thefts across Merseyside.

In at least 23 of those incidents, the vehicles targeted have been Honda or Toyota vehicles.

The incidents have happened in car parks and driveways, and on July 21, thefts occurred in the car park at Arrowe Park Hospital.

After a pursuit last Friday, three men were arrested by Greater Manchester Police on suspicion of theft after a catalytic converter was stolen from a car parked at Costco in Haydock.

Inspector Rob Budden said: "We are urging car owners, in particular Honda and Toyota drivers, to exercise vigilance when parking, and urge them to take security measures, including considering installing a dashcam.

"We are conducting enquires into these incidents and studying CCTV footage as we try to prevent further offences, establish who is responsible and bring them to justice.

"We would appeal to anyone who has seen people behaving suspiciously under vehicles in car parks or driveways to let us know."

Anyone with any information on the thefts, or sees any suspious activity, is asked to DM us on Twitter via @MerPolCC or message us on Facebook at ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. Alternatively, call 101 quoting incident reference 19100689174 or call @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111.