New data obtained by this paper has revealed the number of catalytic converters stolen in east London last year.

Met Police figures show that in 2022, a total of 7,784 catalytic converter thefts were recorded in London - with an overall figure of 43,702 thefts recorded between 2019 and 2022.

According to the force, catalytic converters contain "precious metals" that have a high scrap value that are often shipped abroad to be used.

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These devices are normally worth up to £600, with thefts "increasing" according to the Met.

Here is how many catalytic converter thefts were recorded by the force in six east London boroughs last year:

Redbridge

Redbridge ranked as the eighth highest borough in London with 337 recorded thefts for 2022.

A further 309 thefts were recorded in 2021, 530 thefts in 2020 and 435 in 2019.

Waltham Forest

Waltham Forest ranked at 16th place with 237 thefts recorded in 2022.

A further 244 thefts were recorded in 2021, 402 in 2020 and 312 in 2019.

Newham

Newham came in 18th place with 235 recorded thefts in 2022.

A further 211 thefts were recorded in 2021, 396 in 2020 and 299 in 2019.

Tower Hamlets

Tower Hamlets ranked 21st place with 198 recorded thefts in 2022.

A further 87 thefts were recorded in 2021, 206 in 2020 and 164 in 2019.

Barking and Dagenham 

Barking and Dagenham ranked as the 28th borough with 119 recorded thefts in 2022.

A further 86 thefts were recorded in 2021, 227 in 2020 and 196 in 2019.

Havering

Havering was the east London borough with the least amount of recorded catalytic converter thefts in 2022 and came 29th place in London.

There was a total of 94 recorded thefts in 2022.

A further 158 thefts were recorded in 2021, 190 in 2020 and 157 in 2019.

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In total, 5,829 recorded catalytic converter thefts took place in the east London boroughs of Newham, Barking and Dagenham, Redbridge, Havering, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest between 2019 and 2022.

Commonly targeted makes

According to Met Police data, Honda was the most targeted brand of vehicle in London in January 2022 - with a total of 357 recorded catalytic converter thefts.

Further data revealed that the most specific known model targeted in London was the Land Rover Range Rover, with a total of 92 recorded thefts in January 2022.

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A spokesperson for Met Police said: "Catalytic converters are often targeted by thieves as they contain valuable metals and can be removed in less than a minute.

"Catalytic converter theft most frequently occurs in car parks, but they can happen anywhere.

"Thieves may then sell these converters via scrapyards, online, or ship them out of the country.

"Hybrid vehicles are most targeted, as their metals are more valuable, but any vehicle can be at risk of catalytic converter theft."