According to If, one or more gangs of thieves in Norway are stealing catalytic converters from passenger cars. Recently, such thefts have occurred in several parts of the country.
On the night of April 30 to May 1, there were several thefts of catalytic converters in Trondheim, Addressesevisen reports. According to Stavanger Aftenblad, catalytic converters have been removed from several cars in the Stavanger and Sandnes area in recent weeks.
– We suspect that one or more gangs are now operating to rob vehicles of their catalytic converters. They usually attack private cars, says Sigmund Clementz, communications director at If.
For many years, gangs from abroad have been stealing catalytic converters in Norway, the insurer points out
- These thefts came and went in waves. But something is relatively new: While thieves previously focused on cars in car scrapping zones, they are now targeting private cars parked in a driveway, on the street or in a parking lot. We don't really know why this happened changes on the rise more brazen thefts, Clementz says
Hybrids are favorite targets of thieves
Especially hybrids are vulnerable to theft. Over the past few years, the price of precious metals in catalytic converters has increased dramatically. Hybrid catalytic converters usually contain more platinum, rhodium and palladium than gasoline engine catalytic converters.
Catalytic converter thieves target specific car brands and models. The Toyota Prius is particularly at risk, but other car brands and models have also had catalytic converters stolen.
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There are no official figures on the number of catalytic converter thefts in Norway, but there are several hundred each year.
- We believe there may be more catalytic converter thefts this spring and summer, mainly in eastern and southern Norway. The reason is the proximity to Sweden, through which many goods stolen from Norway end up in other countries. We believe there may be an increase in theft due to the war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, where some of the precious metals in catalysts come from. The catalysts contain a few grams each of platinum, rhodium and palladium. The latter metal is almost exclusively produced in Russia. Notwithstanding the war, the prices of many precious metals have skyrocketed in recent years, says head of communications at If.
- W In Sweden, catalytic converter theft is much more common. The reason why v Significantly fewer cars are stolen in Norway and catalysts than in Sweden, is primarily the fact that Norway is further from where the criminals come from. In many respects, Sweden functions as a buffer for criminals from some Eastern European countries, and Sweden is more affected by thefts than Norway, adds the If chief.
“It's probably a mix of recycled precious metals and catalysts sold as used parts, both in Europe and beyond. In many cases, it is organized crime with branches in many countries, says Clementz.
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Source: If
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