New data obtained by News Shopper has revealed the number of catalytic converters stolen in south east London in 2022 – with a total figure of 1,462 thefts.

In 2022, a total of 7,784 catalytic converter thefts were recorded in London - with an overall figure of 43,702 thefts recorded between 2019-2022.

According to the Met Police, catalytic converters contain “precious metals” that have a high scrap value that are often shipped abroad to be used.

These devices are normally worth up to £600, with thefts “increasing” according to Met Police.

According to data obtained from Sky News, almost 100,000 catalytic converter thefts have been recorded across the UK in the last three years.

Here is how many recorded thefts there were in five south east London boroughs:

Bromley

Bromley ranked as the seventh highest borough in London with 344 recorded thefts for 2022.

A further 465 thefts were recorded in 2021, 532 thefts in 2020 and 320 in 2019.

Greenwich

Greenwich ranked at tenth place with 266 thefts recorded in 2022.

A further 279 thefts took place in the year of 2021, 333 in 2020 and 338 in 2019.

Southwark

Southwark came in at 11th place with 265 recorded thefts in 2022.

A further 211 thefts were recorded in 2021, 489 in 2020 and 275 in 2019.

Lewisham

Lewisham came in 15th place with 243 recorded thefts in 2022.

A further 354 thefts were recorded in 2021, 531 in 2020 and 334 in 2019.

Lambeth

Lambeth ranked in 22nd place with 180 recorded thefts in 2022.

A further 291 were recorded in 2021, 393 in 2020 and 237 in 2019.

Bexley

Bexley ranked in 25th place with 164 recorded thefts in 2022. A further 211 thefts were recorded in 2021, 319 in 2020 and 263 in 2021.

In total, 7,638 recorded thefts took place in south east London boroughs of Bromley, Bexley, Lewisham, Greenwich, Lambeth and Southwark between 2019-2022.

Commonly targeted models

According to Met Police data, the Honda was the most targeted vehicle model in London in January 2022 - with a total of 357 recorded thefts.

However, further data revealed that the most specific known model targeted in London in the same year was the Land Rover Range Rover with a total of 92 recorded thefts in January 2022.

These thefts usually take place in car parks and often Hybrid vehicles are most targeted by thieves.

A spokesperson for Met Police said: “Catalytic Converters are often targeted by thieves as they contain valuable metals and can be removed in less than a minute.

“Catalytic converter theft most frequently occurs in car parks, but they can happen anywhere.

“Thieves may then sell these converters via scrapyards, online, or ship them out of the country.

"Hybrid vehicles are most targeted, as their metals are more valuable, but any vehicle can be at risk of catalytic converter theft”.

News Shopper contacted Met Police for further comment.