Catalytic converters stolen from vans in Shoreham, Southwick and Lancing

Seven vehicles, parked in Franklin Road, Stoney Lane, Mansell Road, Buci Crescent in Shoreham and Park Way in Southwick, were targeted in the late evening on May 4, and in the next few days, three vehicles at a industrial park in Lancing were also hit.

PC Noel Simmonds, of Worthing and Adur Neighbourhood Policing Team, said the thieves had been crawling under the vans, to cut the catalytic converters out, before selling them on as scrap metal.

He said: “Anything owners can do to prevent people from approaching or getting under their vehicle will make them safer. Thieves like to go unnoticed, so measures such as parking in a place covered by a security light or CCTV, or fitting a security device that will sound an audible alarm if the vehicle is rocked may also help.

“I would ask the owners of vans to be particularly careful and ask the public in general to report such thefts and any suspicious incidents as soon as possible to give us the best chance of deterring, catching and convicting those responsible.”

Residents noticing a theft in progress should call 999, he added.

Anyone with information should call Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999.