Three men have been arrested after a spate of catalytic converter thefts in Canterbury.

The suspects were stopped at a service station on the M25 yesterday after reports the devices were stolen from three parked cars on November 21.

Two offences are reported to have taken place in Westgate Court Avenue, and a third in New Dover Road.

Two of the arrested men are from Clapton, and are aged 37 and 28.

The third is aged 27, and from Hackney Wick.

All have been bailed until December 20, pending further enquiries.

Following the reported thefts, police issued advice to motorists to minimise the risk of being targeted.

This includes parking in a garage or well-lit area whenever possible, installing good quality CCTV cameras, and security-marking the metal shell of catalytic converters so police can return them if they are stolen and recovered.

Drivers may also contact car manufacturers, as some sell clamps and security cages that make catalytic converters more difficult to steal.

Hundreds of catalytic converters have already been stolen from cars across Kent this year in what has been a rapid rise in such thefts.

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