Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many thefts of catalytic converters from hybrid vehicles have been reported in England in the last three month period for which information is available; and if she will make it the policy of the Government to restrict the ability of scrap dealers to trade in such converters.

Figures are not held on the number of thefts of catalytic converters from hybrid vehicles in England. The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) collects data on incidents regarding theft from a vehicle, including details of the items stolen, such as car parts. From April 2019 to March 2020, an estimate of recorded household incidents from the CSEW shows that in 1.6% of incidents of theft from vehicles, a catalytic converter was stolen. The figures are published here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/adhocs/12496catalyticconvertersstoleninincidentsoftheftfromvehiclesyearendingmarch2015toyearendingmarch2020crimesurveyforenglandandwales

The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 provides a regulatory regime for the scrap metal industry, including a requirement for scrap metal dealers to obtain a scrap metal licence from their local authority. The requirements of the Act apply to most types of metal and apply where someone is selling an item such as a catalytic converter to a scrap metal dealer.