Catalytic converter thefts probe reaches dead end

A police investigation into the case of a man who had parts of his car stolen twice at the same park and ride has reached a dead end due to a lack of evidence.

Richard Malloy, from Wheatley, uses Thornhill Park and Ride to get into Oxford for work but has had two catalytic converters stolen in five years.

Police have now informed him that the CCTV footage recorded at the time of the latest theft is corrupted. Oxfordshire County Council said vehicles were parked at the owners' risk.

Malloy, who has called on the council to hire more staff and improve security at the site, especially since the introduction of the congestion charge, described the news from the police as "soul destroying".

The chef, from Forest Hill, had a catalytic converter stolen from his car at the site in 2021, but the cameras did not pick up enough detail about the thieves.

The recent police investigation was sparked by the latest theft on 2 February.

Catalytic converters reduce harmful emissions from cars, but the precious metals inside such as platinum and palladium make them attractive to thieves.

They can be removed in a matter of seconds, leaving drivers with costly repairs and, in some cases, vehicles that are written off entirely.

Malloy will have to pay about £1,800 for a new device because insurance will not cover the cost of a replacement for his older model Lexus.

"It's frustrating because it's the second time, and I'm not a rich man and this has financially hurt me," he told the BBC.

"I'm pretty upset and annoyed that this is still happening here," he continued.

"To have the same thing happen in the same car park twice with no improvement to stop it happening, that's what really annoys me, that they've done absolutely nothing."

He added: "At the very least you'd expect the CCTV to work so it gives the police some sort of chance of finding the culprits that have done this.

"What's the point in having cameras if they don't work? It's pointless.

"The public should be made aware, whether it's MPs or councillors or whatever... to put pressure on this council to make sure these car parks are safe, being as we now have to use them without any choice to get to work."

Oxfordshire County Council confirmed it was unable to obtain footage taken during the time of the incident.

It said: "We do have CCTV in the car park but it is an unattended system.

"However vehicles are parked at the owner's risk and we cannot accept liability for any damage or thefts in the car parks."

Thames Valley Police said: "Following a thorough review of the available lines of enquiry available to us, including CCTV and the potential for any forensics, this investigation has been filed at the current time.

"Should any new information or lines of enquiry come to light, these will be looked into."

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