Aftermarket March 2022

BY Phil Cleary, CEO, SmartWater Group F igures obtained by consumer group Which? show catalytic converter thefts in the UK more than doubled in 2020. Driving the thefts is the skyrocketing price of the precious metals found inside the component which help remove harmful gasses from car exhausts; Palladium, rhodium and platinum. The value of these metals has risen dramatically during the pandemic due to a global slump in mining. Currently, palladium and rhodium are considered even more valuable than gold, having more than doubled in price over the past two years. The popularity of hybrid cars has also contributed to a surge in crime as their catalytic converters contain a higher concentration of precious metals and are generally less corroded than traditional petrol and diesel vehicles. Vehicles that sit higher from the ground, such as vans and SUVs have too been targeted, as criminals can easily slip under the car and remove converters that are welded onto the vehicle. Thefts have caused significant headaches for motorists facing big repair bills, and have even led to the writing off of older vehicles. So, what options are available in the aftermarket to help tackle this issue? Trial of new technology to combat thefts Catalytic converter thefts peaked in March 2021, with 3,245 recorded in the UK that month. These have been declining since, with 1,378 recorded in July, a 57% fall. Key to the decrease was a multi-agency operation, involving the British Transport Police and experts from our Intelligence Unit, the Centre for Infrastructure and Asset Protection (CIAP). During the five-month trial, over a thousand stolen catalytic converters were recovered and more than 50 people were arrested. Key to the success was the creation of the National Asset Database, a portal operated by CIAP on behalf of the Police to register, identify and trace valuable assets, with over 30 million already registered. Catalytic converters were marked with SmartWater’s uniquely formulated and heat- resistant solution, which was then linked on the database to a specific vehicle. When components are retrieved, SmartWater scientists can easily identify the vehicle it came from by analysing a fragment of the solution. This method is far more effective than the impression of serial numbers, which can be seen and easily removed by criminals, as the technology is invisible to the naked eye and only glows yellow under UV light. SmartWater is very difficult to remove and any attempt by the thieves risks their clothing, tools and location being contaminated with incriminating evidence. CIAP then works with the police to identify patterns of crime and to help them target visits to those metal dealers considered most likely to handle stolen property. By making catalytic converters difficult to sell it removes the incentive for criminal gangs to target them. Aftermarket opportunity Having proven the scheme is successful, we now need the support of the aftermarket to rapidly roll it out nationwide. That is why CIAP and the Police are calling on MOT Test Centres, garages, and bodyshops to get involved and help to rapidly protect the rest of the 23 million unmarked vehicles on Britain’s roads. The automotive aftermarket can play an important role by becoming accredited registration hubs for the national asset database, creating an additional revenue stream for the industry and ensuring all car owners can protect their catalytic converters. The process is simple and can be carried out as an additional service to an MOT or regular vehicle servicing. With the vehicle on the ramp, SmartWater’s product is applied with a brush and the unique formula reference number is logged on the database against the vehicle registration number. Although this scheme is currently focusing on catalytic converters, other at-risk components such as batteries, electric cables, or even caravans, motorbikes and trailers can also benefit from registration on the National Asset Database. Any MOT Test Centre, garage or car dealership interested in being appointed as a Registration Centre should visit www.smartwater.com/join 20 AFTERMARKET MARCH 2022 BUSINESS www.aftermarketonline.net CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT: THE SOLUTION? A new Police-backed scheme aims to offer a deterrence against the theft of catalytic converters