Police have arrested two men this morning in connection to the thefts of catalytic convertors from across the county.
Since Monday 16 October, police have received more than 20 reports of individuals cutting the convertors from vehicles and making threats to members of the public.
These have been from areas including St Austell, Falmouth, Redruth and Truro, and are all believed to be linked.
Following a report in the early hours of October 19 in St Austell, officers located and seized a vehicle which is believed to be linked to the incident. They then carried out further enquiries which led them to a premises in the Newquay area where they located several items also believed to be linked.
Two 18-year-old men from Kent have been arrested on suspicion of theft from a vehicle and remain in police custody.
Inspector Greg Hodgkiss from the Roads Policing Team said: “This type of planned, acquisitive crime is taken very seriously, and our teams are dedicated to disrupting and preventing it.
“As a result of these reports and the information provided by the public, officers and intelligence teams have been making further enquiries and we now have two people in custody in connection to this matter.
“Our investigation is ongoing but if you have any information which you think may assist us, please get in touch.”
Anyone with information, dash cam, doorbell or CCTV footage which may assist enquiries further is asked to report it online or by calling 101, quoting log 737 of October 16.
Devon and Cornwall Police has also provided the following prevention advice:
- Consider getting your catalytic converter uniquely marked so that it can be easily identified;
- Park your car in a well-lit and overlooked area;
- Consider purchasing a locking device for your catalytic converter;
- Consider parking with the catalytic converter close to fences, walls or a kerb to make the theft more difficult.