Terrifying moment woman is dragged along by car gang as she tries to stop them stripping catalytic converter from her Honda Civic

  • The woman confronted a gang of thieves when they targeted her Honda Civic
  • They removed her catalytic converter and drove off as she clung on to the part
  • She was dragged along behind the vehicle during the incident on February 9
  • Greater Manchester Police are investigating the theft caught on CCTV in BuryCCTV footage captured the horrifying moment a woman was dragged along by a car after confronting a gang of thieves for stealing car parts.  

    The victim, who asked not to be named, was in the kitchen of her home in Bury, Greater Manchester, when she spotted four men targeting her Honda Civic.

    They had raised the vehicle up on its side and were trying to remove its catalytic converter. 

    She rushed outside to confront them, but the men ignored her protestations and continued to remove the part. 

    As the gang loaded the catalytic converter into the boot of a car and drove off, the woman tried to hold onto it and was dragged along by the vehicle. 

    Police are investigating the incident, which was captured by CCTV on Valley Mill Lane at around 1pm on February 9. 

    The unnamed woman confronted the gang of four thieves after seeing her Honda Civic car tilted on its side (pictured far right) from the kitchen of her home in Bury, Greater Manchester

    The unnamed woman confronted the gang of four thieves after seeing her Honda Civic car tilted on its side (pictured far right) from the kitchen of her home in Bury, Greater ManchesterThe woman said: 'I wondered what the hell was going on. My car was half in the air. 

    'I shot downstairs and was shouting as loudly as I could. They just carried on, so I went over and told them to get off my car. 

    'I kept telling them to stop, but they just completely disregarded me. There was no shame there. 'I felt physically threatened. I didn't know if they were going to hit me.' 

    In an attempt to grab the attention of others, the woman banged on a neighbour's window and shouted for them to phone the police. 

    However, the gang brazenly ignored her and proceeded to load the catalytic converter into the boot of their Toyota Corolla. 

    After fleeing, the blue Toyota Corolla is believed to have turned on to Alfred Street before heading in the direction of Pimhole

    After fleeing, the blue Toyota Corolla is believed to have turned on to Alfred Street before heading in the direction of Pimhole

    CCTV footage shows the moment she is dragged across the car park as the blue Toyota Corolla

    CCTV footage shows the moment she is dragged across the car park as the blue Toyota Corolla

    Catalytic convertors: Why the exhaust emission devices are targeted by thieves

    Catalytic convertors typically sit on the underside of a vehicle

    Catalytic convertors typically sit on the underside of a vehicle 

    Catalytic convertors are targeted by thieves as they contain precious metals. 

    The car parts, typically found on the underside of the vehicle, include platinum, palladium and rhodium.

    These precious materials in the exhaust emission control devices help reduce toxic gases and pollutants in exhaust fumes, turning them into less toxic substances like carbon dioxide and water vapour.   

    The devices cost £1,000 and can be removed in as little as a minute – either by unscrewing bolts or using an angle grinder. 

    Thieves sell them to scrap metal dealers or online. 

    One of the men then pushed the woman away as she tried to retrieve the stolen car part. 

    As the car sped away, she desperately clung on to one of the men - who was sitting in the boot - which resulted in her being dragged through the car park. 

    She said: 'I just tried to grab whatever they had taken. 

    'It all happened so quickly. I was in shock and had no idea what was going on. 

    'The most shocking thing is the fact I was yelling at them to stop and they just carried on. 

    'The first guy said the car wasn't taxed so they could do it. That's a load of rubbish.' 

    After fleeing, the blue Toyota Corolla is believed to have turned on to Alfred Street before heading in the direction of Pimhole. 

    The victim described the four men as being white British and said they were wearing face masks and hoods. 

    Thefts of catalytic converters are said to have become rife in recent years. 

    They are often targeted by thieves because of the precious metals they contain - platinum, palladium and rhodium. 

    A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: 'At around 1pm on Tuesday 9 February, officers received a report of a theft from a motor vehicle on Valley Mill Lane, Bury. 

    'Enquiries have since established four males approached a silver Honda Civic before stealing parts from the car. 

    'Whilst ongoing, the owner of the vehicle approached the men and attempted to stop them. 

    'The men fled the scene in a blue Toyota Corolla. Enquiries are ongoing. 

    'Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 8172 quoting 1129 of 09/02/21. Alternatively, details can be passed on anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.' 

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