Enhanced regulations now apply in B.C. in a bid to cut down on the number of catalytic converter thefts in the province. (Submitted/RCMP)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

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‘It’s a big issue in our community:’ Nanaimo Mounties hopes new rules lead to catalytic converter theft reduction

Mar 14, 2022 | 3:40 PM

NANAIMO — The province is attempting to cut down on ever-rising catalytic converter thefts, a crime soaring across B.C., including Nanaimo.

Metal dealers and recyclers are now required to report each transaction of catalytic converters to police on the day of the sale, in addition to recording information about the seller.

Pollutant-capturing catalytic converters can be stolen from beneath vehicles in minutes and fetch hundreds of dollars a piece, according to Nanaimo RCMP Res. Cst. Gary O’Brien.

He’s hopeful removing anonymity around selling catalytic converters will make a difference.

“It’s something to hold these people accountable. When they realize that the doors aren’t going to be open for them it might lessen these thefts,” O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW.

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Nanaimo has seen a significant increase in thefts of the items in all areas of the city.

Cst. O’Brien said their detachment first took notice about five years ago when the devices started disappearing from vehicles, followed by a large surge in 2019.

The Nanaimo detachment recorded 68 catalytic converter thefts in 2019, jumping to 117 last year.

“We saw an increase every year. And then of course you get certain criminals who develop a forte on how to remove them — quickly the word spread and sure enough the numbers doubled since 2019,” O’Brien said.

The thefts spread all over the Nanaimo area, frustrating many citizens and valued non-profit service providers.

Across the province catalytic converter theft claims to ICBC rose from 89 in 2017 to nearly 2,000 last year.

ICBC claim costs for the stolen auto parts eclipsed $4 million in 2021.

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