Catalytic converter thefts on the rise

London police are reporting a surge in the thefts of catalytic converters in recent weeks.

There have been 52 thefts of the devices since January2019 and 22 of them have been been swiped since the beginning of November.

Thieves are targeting mainly Honda, Fordand Hyundai vehicles madesince 2010, said police in a statement released Tuesday.

The thefts have occurred throughout the city but most have been from vehicles in parking lots in the downtown core.

Often SUVs and trucks are targeted because they sit higher, providing easier access to the converters, police say.

The catalytic converter is a round canister that connects the piping in the exhaust. You would notice a space in the middle of your exhaust if the converter were missing. You would also hear a loud roaring or rumbling sound when you turn on your vehicle.

It's needed for your car to run properly, and contains valuable materials. Thieves can sell the stolen converters to scrap yards for cash, police say, and it can cost up to $2,000 to replace one.

Police are urging drivers to park in garage, well-lit areas, or close to a building entrance or road whenever possible. If you hear a suspicious noise in parking lots such as the sound of electrical tools being used, or see someone under a vehicle you're asked to call 9-1-1immediately.