Thames Valley Police warn residents in the Kidlington area that thieves can steal the catalytic converter from a car in minutes.

Cars which are often targeted are those with higher chassis, such as a 4x4 or an SUV.

To avoid theft police suggest keeping your car in a locked garage.

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The police also say to avoid parking your vehicle half on the pavement and half on the road, as this may make it easier for thieves to access the catalytic converter.

If your catalytic converter is bolted on, you can ask for your local garage to weld the bolts to make it more difficult to remove.