Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Is this what's coming? Massive crime increase?

53 replies

pastypirate · 21/06/2022 21:47

I'm not a doom monger by any stretch but I'm so so shocked by this. I work in a public sector role in a city centre office. We have permits for a multi story a few hundred yards away which is a public council car park. It's the car park for the city theatre and is heavily used day abs night.

My colleague returned to her car yesterday within office hours to find the exhaust has been sawn off and her catalytic converters and sone lamb sensor thing had been removed and stolen. It's a an 04 plate very generic hatch back little car.

The car was park on street level right by the exit barriers and this all happened in daylight. Opposite the car park and that floor specifically there is a row of offices and a restaurant where people sit outside. It's very public and along a main thoroughfare.

My friend is very shaken and very broke now. But my point is - is this kind of crime about to rocker due to cost of living crisis??

OP posts:
Vodika · 21/06/2022 21:49

No. Catalytic converter thefts have been happening for at least the last 20 years. If anything, older cars are more likely to be targeted because I think what they steal from them isn't in newer models.

TooBigForMyBoots · 21/06/2022 21:52

Yes. Opportunistic theft is going to increase. Along with shoplifting and prostitution.

WhatALoadOfWankiness · 21/06/2022 21:52

Sadly I think it is. It's happening where I am and we are in quite a sleepy little town

Crazyhousewife · 21/06/2022 21:53

Yes happened to my dads car. In the middle of the night someone put the back window out and pinched the door guard.

Original poster
pastypirate · 21/06/2022 21:55

Vodika · 21/06/2022 21:49

No. Catalytic converter thefts have been happening for at least the last 20 years. If anything, older cars are more likely to be targeted because I think what they steal from them isn't in newer models.

I didn't know that - actually I didn't know you could even steal it until today!

OP posts:
THisbackwithavengeance · 21/06/2022 22:02

You mean that crime is bound to increase due to the increased cost of living and are using the fact that your friend had her car vandalised and parts stolen as an example of this?

I doubt very much that the pond life that damaged your friend's car are desperate Robin Hood types to be pitied rather than scorned but I'm cynical like that.

limitededitionbarbie · 21/06/2022 22:03

I think it's inevitable as the cost of living increases.

Already we have people in full time work needing to use food banks.

Winter is going to see crime increase because some people will have no choice. It will
Literally be heat or eat for some families.

allboysherebutme · 21/06/2022 22:05

Yes definitely. X

Original poster
pastypirate · 21/06/2022 22:27

THisbackwithavengeance · 21/06/2022 22:02

You mean that crime is bound to increase due to the increased cost of living and are using the fact that your friend had her car vandalised and parts stolen as an example of this?

I doubt very much that the pond life that damaged your friend's car are desperate Robin Hood types to be pitied rather than scorned but I'm cynical like that.

I didn't mean it like that and I accept it may come across that way.
I know there's a correlation between economic downturn and crime rates. I'm just so shocked it happened there - in broad daylight.
Made me feel so unsafe

OP posts:
otterlybonkers · 21/06/2022 22:43

But you are supposed to be so grateful for living in such an opportunistic, wonderful country op! Buy the telegraph and chin up! If crime increases we can blame it on foreigners or the unemployed. Seems to work well enough.

StellaGibson2022 · 21/06/2022 22:56

Reading your post I’m assuming you aren’t in my part of London!!

Catalytic converter thefts are really common here and have been for quite a few years. Always posts on local Facebook groups.

So in my experience it’s not necessarily related to the cost of living rises. Just an easy way to make money.

EmmaH2022 · 21/06/2022 22:58

Also in London and this has been a thing for years

but in general, car crime has gone up a lot.

BlackeyedSusan · 21/06/2022 23:06

7 piles of broken car window glass in the road near me this week. Not been as bad as that for ages.

Hornbostel · 21/06/2022 23:07

This was a single crime, you can't predict a bigger trend from that.

Shamoo · 21/06/2022 23:09

Never park in the multi story at Luton hospital - there are countless signs about catalytic convertor thefts (and have been for years).

Anybody know why they steal them?!

pastaparadise · 21/06/2022 23:11

Happened to me twice - once I hospital car park, once in the supermarket car park - both in Broad daylight, busy areas, cctv around.

It's shit. Police didn't even open a case despite cctv footage on one occasion. No wonder car crime like that is on the rise as clearly almost no likelihood of being caught

Octomore · 21/06/2022 23:13

Crime goes up in times of economic hardship. So do addiction, alcoholism and various other social ills.

It's not a good thing for society, even for those who are financially cushioned from the direct impacts.

Original poster
pastypirate · 21/06/2022 23:13

StellaGibson2022 · 21/06/2022 22:56

Reading your post I’m assuming you aren’t in my part of London!!

Catalytic converter thefts are really common here and have been for quite a few years. Always posts on local Facebook groups.

So in my experience it’s not necessarily related to the cost of living rises. Just an easy way to make money.

I'm in the far southwest. We have had far more serious crimes recently but I don't think this car crime is a thing. Wasn't a thing

OP posts:
LadyCatStark · 21/06/2022 23:17

limitededitionbarbie · 21/06/2022 22:03

I think it's inevitable as the cost of living increases.

Already we have people in full time work needing to use food banks.

Winter is going to see crime increase because some people will have no choice. It will
Literally be heat or eat for some families.

Please can people stop using the “heat or eat” sound bite. That won’t even be a choice for many this winter!

Fashiontatts · 21/06/2022 23:22

Shamoo · 21/06/2022 23:09

Never park in the multi story at Luton hospital - there are countless signs about catalytic convertor thefts (and have been for years).

Anybody know why they steal them?!

Inside the catalytic converter there are metals that coat the element - platinum and palladium if I remember right...! Both worth more than gold in weight. And the fact that a section of exhaust is relatively easy for thieves to just cut out and make off with.... especially 4x4s!

Fashiontatts · 21/06/2022 23:24

Shamoo · 21/06/2022 23:09

Never park in the multi story at Luton hospital - there are countless signs about catalytic convertor thefts (and have been for years).

Anybody know why they steal them?!

I'd like to clarify, I know this from previously dealing with instances of these thefts via work - not because I'm adept at thieving them! 🤣

Isaidnoalready · 21/06/2022 23:31

We are having a massive boost in fuel thefts spiking the tanks and draining them

AmaryIlis · 21/06/2022 23:44

Was your friend insured?

PansyPetunia · 22/06/2022 00:02

Yes. I work in retail

We've been told to expect more theft. Every single one we see will still be challenged though. We won't give up

Manekinek0 · 22/06/2022 00:02

Heating oil theft and drilling fuel tanks for petrol/diesel seems to be on the increase round here.

People talk about a rise in crime through people not having a choice but let's be honest, most of these types of crimes are done by organised gangs. People who are desperate tend to shoplift, they're not hacking catalytic converters off cars.

Swipe left for the next trending thread