Suspected prolific catalytic converter thieves ram and throw objects at police car

We're appealing for information after a pursuit of suspected region-wide prolific catalytic converter thieves across Oldham and Rochdale yesterday saw a police car rammed and struck with objects.

One of our officers followed a suspicious Volkswagen Jetta on the afternoon of Wednesday 15 December after a series of recent reports of catalytic converter thefts in the Manchester, Salford, Bury, Tameside, Stockport, Oldham and Rochdale areas of Greater Manchester.

The car - believed to be on cloned plates - is said to have been involved in these incidents of late, during which offenders are understood to have been armed with weapons.

During the pursuit, the driver of the VW Jetta tried to ram the police car while a passenger wearing a balaclava threw a heavy metallic object - believed to be a power tool - towards the officer's vehicle in an unsuccessful attempt to disable it.

After 10 minutes of the chase, the offenders abandoned the vehicle in Rochdale before running off and getting away.

No arrests have been made and investigators are continuing to probe the series of thefts that have featured offenders brazenly stealing convertors in broad daylight, whilst holding weapons and wearing masks, to intimidate and threaten victims.

We are appealing to anyone who may have information about any of the incidents, or the identity of those involved in the pursuit, to get in touch.

Any details can be passed to police online, if able, or via 101 quoting incident 1373 of 15/12/2021.

Information can be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.