CAR owners in the Old Quarter of Stourbridge are urged to be vigilant after the theft of a catalytic converter last night.

A catalytic converter was stolen from a Honda Jazz parked in Cathcart Road sometime between 5pm on Wednesday January 6 and 12.55am on Thursday January 7.

Police were reportedly called to the incident and they have urged anyone who may have seen anything or anyone who has any information about the incident to get in touch via Live Chat online or by calling 101 - and quote 20DY/5541L/21.

To help prevent thefts of catalytic converters vehicle owners can:

• Speak to their manufacturer’s main dealer regarding security products available for their vehicle

• Mark catalytic converters with a uniquely coded security product specifically designed for marking catalytic converters , and display the warning stickers supplied

• Take manufacturers advice, but consider fitting a protection device made specifically to cover the catalytic converter (one product such as http://catloc.co.uk/ which isn’t third party tested, but is used widely by vehicle manufacturers)

• Use the vehicle’s alarm or install a Thatcham approved alarm. The alarm should detect and activate if the vehicle is tilted or lifted

• Park the vehicle in such a way that it is difficult to gain access underneath

For more general advice on car crime check out west-midlands.police.uk/your-options/theft-motor-vehicle/#prevention