HOSPITAL bosses have shut a car park at the RHCH at weekends after thieves stole up to 10 catalytic converters from vehicles parked there.

Police are also warning motorists to be vigilant after two cars were targeted at Hockley Link near the city.

The crooks are thought to be removing the converters because of the precious metals inside them, which can fetch around £120.

It has emerged that there has been a spate of similar thefts across Hampshire in recent weeks, and the locations have included the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Romsey Road.

A hospital spokeswoman confirmed the thefts from vehicles had occured at the site's smaller car park.

She said: "It has been happening at the weekends so we have now closed the car park at the weekends and stepped up patrols."

In addition to the hospital's security staff keeping a close watch, police have also pledged to check the car parks.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: "We can confirm that in response to a number of catalytic converter thefts in recent weeks, police officers in Winchester have been conducting covert operations in the area."

Two thefts were also reported at Hockley Link on the city's southern outskirts last month.

Police have now put a letter to warn motorists on the village notice board in nearby Otterbourne.

The thieves also removed several catalytic converters from vehicles at the New Forest Show a fortnight ago.

One victim was Ian Patterson, who works at Exbury Gardens, and faced a £912 repair bill.

He said: "When I started the car it sounded like a Formula One vehicle. I managed to get it to my garage, which is only 300 yards from my home.

"The next day I got a call from one of the staff who said I know where you were yesterday, at the New Forest Show'."

A spokesman for the Automobile Association said thefts of catalytic converters was now a "big problem".

He said: "Thieves tend to target one particular area and then move on.

"The first their victims know about it is when they start their car and it makes an awful noise."

Police said the thieves take several minutes to remove the components by crawling under cars with a hacksaw.

Officers are advising motorists to mark their converters and leave their vehicles in well-lit car parks.

They have also warned scrap metal dealers to look out for these stolen items.

The thieves want the converters because they contain platinum, palladium and rhodium.

Police believe that the components are shipped to centres in Canada, China, Poland and Latvia where the precious metals are extracted.

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