West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has warned drivers to be on their guard as a spate of catalytic converter thefts hits the county. The MP has written to Home Office Minister Norman Baker raising the issue, which has been a growing problem, particular in rural areas. Harriett has already met with Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Barrie Sheldon to ask for police to prioritise the issue. It is feared that organised gangs are targeting rural areas to steal catalytic converters and sell the parts for scrap. The Minister wrote to Harriett last week outlining measures the Government had introduced to prevent stolen materials being sold for cash at scrap merchants. The Scrap Metal Dealers Act came into force last year to ensure all sales of scrap metal are tracked and recorded to attempt to prevent the sale of stolen goods. West Mercia Police’s Safer Neighbourhoods scheme will be running sessions in Upton and Tenbury where motorists can have their cars ‘marked’ to ensure they are traceable and difficult to re-sell. Harriett commented: “Catalytic converter theft is a serious problem in my constituency with 4x4 cars at highest risk. “I have asked the Police and Crime Commissioner to work with police to try and monitor the situation more closely as I am told these parts are easy to transport and made be taken out of the area. “The Government is also working with the motor industry on a marking scheme to try and trace stolen catalytic converters easier. “I would urge people to be vigilant, particularly in rural areas and I hope that by doing this and by increasing police presence, we will see arrests taking place.”