A motorist who was a victim of a catalytic converter theft has spoken of the expense and stress he suffered after it emerged that such thefts are higher in  Greater Manchester than most other regions in the UK.

In 2022 there were 1,214 thefts of catalytic converters recorded by Greater Manchester Police (GMP), equivalent to 101.97 per 100,000 households.

That rate, obtained by a freedom of information and published by Sky News on New Year’s Day, is the tenth highest region in a list that has London, with 298.87 per 100,000 households at the top.

In a separate report from last week, December 27, 2022, the BBC reported that just one per cent of these crimes result in someone being charged between 2017 and 2021, although data for GMP was not using in the analysis.

Catalytic converters are devices fitted to vehicle exhausts to reduce the amount of dangerous gases emitted. They are often targeted by thieves as they contain valuable metals and are easily removed.

READ MORE: People fear catalytic converter thieves in Farnworth

They are often then sold to scrap yards, online, or shipped overseas.

Hybrid vehicles are most commonly targeted, as their metals are more valuable, but any vehicle can be at risk of catalytic converter theft.

Mohammed Bobat, a Heaton resident, had his catalytic converter stolen from his car that was parked outside his house in September 2020.

A group of men were caught on CCTV from a nearby shop lifting the car and stealing the converter in around 70 seconds.

WATCH: Group of men appear to lift up car and steal catalytic converter in 70 SECONDS

He said: “The police just gave me a crime reference number and said there was nothing they could do about it.

“I had to just buy a new one and have it fixed on. It cost me about £600 or £700. I only work part time in the mosque so that was a whole month’s wage.

“That’s not easy but what can you do? You can’t drive it around like that making all that noise.”

Mohammed admitted that his experience was stressful.

He added: “Luckily, the replacement doesn’t have the valuable metals in. If they tried it again, they should see it that it’s a replacement and not worth it.”

Another motorist fell victim to the crime at Radcliffe tram station but she was told the theft would not be investigated despite their being CCTV cameras in the car park.

On appeal officers said they would be the footage had been wiped.

GMP says that there a number of ways that people can protect themselves from being the victim of this crime.

A spokesperson for the force said: “To keep your catalytic converter safe, you can ask your car dealer for advice on locks or guards that are approved by the vehicle manufacturer and tested to Sold Secure Gold.

WATCH: Catalytic converter thieves target cars in Bolton ­— trapping one man in his home

“Alternatively, try to make sure your vehicle is parked in a garage overnight, or if you have a commercial vehicle, park it in a secure compound.

“If this isn’t possible, park in an area that’s well-lit and overlooked and try to park so that the converter can’t be easily reached by potential thieves. Vehicles that sit high above the road are particularly vulnerable.

“You should also register your converter and mark it with a forensic marker, which will make it harder for thieves to dispose of.”

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at lewis.finney@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @lewisfinney18.