Three Kent men have been arrested in connection with catalytic converter thefts.

Raids happened across the country, as part of a joint operation between Kent Police, Metropolitan Police and Essex Police.

Two men, aged 18 and 24, were arrested in Folkestone on suspicion of being involved in up to 30 thefts.

A third person, a 27-year-old man, was detained in Maidstone for his suspected role in an additional theft.

All have been released on bail, pending further inquiries, until April 13.

Kent Police also aided the search of a shipping container on the Essex coast, which contained stolen metal and car parts destined for the Ivory Coast.

DCI Matt Talboys, from Kent Police’s Chief Constable’s Crime Squad, said: "Working alongside our partners, we are relentlessly pursuing people who we believe are involved in an organised conspiracy to steal catalytic converters.

"Victims are often targeted indiscriminately and we don’t underestimate the impact this can have on their daily lives, on top of the often expensive repair bills.

"Motorists can be assured that we are following every available line of enquiry to proactively identify and target suspects.

"We also carry out regular patrols in areas that we believe may be targeted and work closely with scrap metal dealers to identify potential suspects."

Drivers are being urged to contact their car manufacturers, as many sell clamps and security cages that deter thieves.

Security marking is also possible, with one pilot scheme in Ashford seeing garages being given the equipment to do so.

Further advice includes parking your vehicle in a garage or a busy, well-lit area.

If feasible, homeowners can also give consideration to installing good quality CCTV cameras.

In December were revealed motorists were being hit hard with hiking numbers of catalytic converter thefts - soaring five-fold on the year before

Police chiefs said then they are ‘pro-actively patrolling’ areas hit by crime spates in Kent but victims argued more needed to be done.

To get the latest updates in ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars, click here.

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