Police issue warning over Vauxhall Astra on the prowl for catalytic converters in Sheffield

Thieves have been targeting cars across the UK for the devices, which clean up harmful gases before they can be released into the air, as they contain precious metals.

Toyota and Honda vehicles are believed to be particularly susceptible and police have issued advice on how to protect your car.

Now police have released more details about the methods being used in Sheffield.

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PCSO Chris Bell, of the Sheffield Central neighbourhood policing team, said: “So you are all aware, we are having a spate of thefts of cats from a lot of cars.

"It seems a blue Vauxhall astra is going around. And the culprits use a battery powered angle grinder to quickly cut it off and leave the area.

"Keep a look out for anything suspicious.”

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Only last week, a man was threatened with a baseball bat after confronting a gang of suspected thieves who were tampering with his car outside his home in Fir Vale.

Earlier this month, thieves stole the catalytic converter from an NHS employee’s Honda Jazz while she worked nearby at the Northern General Hospital.