Car owners are being asked to store vehicles away at night where possible following a series of catalytic converter thefts in Lancaster and Morecambe.

A number of vehicles parked on the Vale estate and the White Lund Industrial Estate have been targeted for the metallic items, with thieves cutting them out from underneath vehicles.

Motorists are now being advised to keep vehicles locked in garages overnight and to consider using other crime prevention devices, such as security lights on their driveways, as added protection against thieves.

Sergeant Simon Balderstone, of Lancaster and Morecambe’s serious acquisitive crime team, said: “Scrap metal continues to fetch a good price so anything metallic is tempting to thieves.

“A missing catalytic converter may not be instantly noticeable when you approach you car – but the cost of replacing it will certainly be noticeable, so we’d ask motorists to remain vigilant and take some simple crime prevention measures to keep their vehicles safe.”

• Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to contact police on 101. In an emergency always dial 999.