Thieves may have worn boiler suits to disguise themselves as mechanics during a spate of catalytic converter thefts, police have said.

A series of thefts have been reported in Folkestone, starting in Boscombe Road on Saturday, April 30.

Three further incidents then took place in Trimworth Road and Grimston Gardens overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday last week.

A spokesman for Kent Police said: "Enquiries into the most recent of these offences suggest the thieves may have worn boiler suits to make them look like mechanics carrying out work on the vehicle."

Catalytic converters contain precious metals such as rhodium, platinum and palladium which 'clean' exhaust gases.

According to Crimestoppers, palladium is currently more valuable than gold, meaning a catalytic converter can sell for more than £500 on the black market.

Investigations into the incidents in Folkestone are ongoing and anyone with information is urged to call Kent Police, quoting reference 46/83876/22.