PEOPLE in Malvern are being invited to bring their vehicles along to an event tomorrow (Saturday, February 8) where police will mark their catalytic converters and protect them from thieves.

There has been an increase in Malvern in the theft of catalytic converters recently, which are stolen due to the value of the precious metals they contain, such as platinum and palladium.

This has lead the local Safer Neighbourhood Teams to launch a policing operation to deter thieves, including extra patrols and the undertaking of other intelligence-led operations to deter, tackle and prosecute offenders.

Police are hoping residents will help with their campaign by doing all they can to protect their vehicles.

So they have bought forensic marking kits - funded by the Malvern Hills Community Safety Partnership - which once applied to converter means it has a unique code that can be traced back to its vehicle if the worst happens and it is stolen.

Officers and PCSOs have organised a series of events to mark vehicles that are seen to be particularly vulnerable. They will also be handing out advice on how everyone can make their vehicles safer from thieves.

The first event will take place tomorrow (Saturday, February 8) at Morrisons supermarket car park in Malvern between 10am and 2pm.

Sergeant Ian Blanchard from the Malvern Safer Neighbourhoods teams, said: “We are doing all we can to stop this spike in catalytic converter thefts in Malvern Hills and we are pleased to say it looks as though our efforts have pushed down the number thefts occurring.

Further marking events will take place at Hanley Road Car Park in Upton upon Severn on Saturday, February 22, and at Tenbury Swimming Pool Car Park on Saturday, March 1.