AN Evesham security guard has been left unable to work in the run up to Christmas after thieves stole the catalytic converter from his car.

Rob Bennett, of St Lawrence Road, is one of the victims of a spate of similar thefts around the Vale over the past few weeks.

His Ford Galaxy, which was parked on the road outside his home, was targeted between 12.30am on Wednesday, December 11, and 5am the following day.

“I went out at 5am morning to go to work and the car roared, I looked underneath and they had nicked the catalytic converter,” said the 59-year-old.

“They have cut either side and just taken it off.

“The insurance company is saying with the age of the vehicle [14 years] they may write it off.”

Mr Bennett has been left without the use of a car as he is not entitled to a hire vehicle and says he now feels stuck, unable work and it has put a damper on his Christmas.

“I work for G4S as a security guard and I have already lost work,” he said.

“These thieves are taking metal from the railway and cars and endangering people’s lives.

“Where are these things being sold? The unscrupulous scrap dealers are accepting these things. I am really annoyed. I have been down to look at a few cars, I just can’t afford one.”

A spokesman for West Mercia Police said the number of thefts of catalytic converters had risen by seven per cent over the past year.

There were 125 incidents last year and 134 this year.

They advise people to park their cars in a garage whenever possible.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact the police on nonemergency number 101 and quote 052-s-12-12-13.