A self-employed courier, whose business has been hit by thieves, is urging action to stop a surge in the theft of cataltytic converters from vehicles.

The exhaust of Darren Dalton’s £16,500 Mercedes Sprinter van, which he acquired for his new business, was removed in the dead of night while it was parked on the drive of his home in Royds Hall Avenue, Wibsey, Bradford.

Mr Dalton, 45, says he has been told by several exhaust fitting companies and the police that there has been a big increase in the theft of catalytic converters because of the high value of platinum, one of the components.

Police in Bradford admit the theft of catalytic converters is part of the wider issue of metal theft.

Mr Dalton set up his business 18 months ago and says he has been devastated by the theft.

He said: “I am just trying to earn a living. This has absolutely devastated me.

“The police have said there is a massive spate of this type of theft. I want to make people aware that it is going on.”

Mr Dalton was taking his daughter to Bradford for a job interview when he heard a strange blowing noise.

He said: “I rang my mechanic and he said it sounded like the catalytic converter was blocked and it should clear if I drove it.

“When it didn’t clear, I took it in and my mechanic said the whole exhaust had been removed. He said I could not drive it and I have had to do without it for more than a week. It is a real blow to my business.

“I have rung a number of companies and it seems the Mercedes Sprinter van is a target for this. One company had had ten such vans targeted and another had had four.

“I would appeal to the public to help with information so those responsible are prosecuted. They need to be stopped.”

Bradford South Detective Chief Inspector Mark McManus said: “The theft of metal has been experienced within many areas of the country and is driven by its current high market value.

“We are alive to this situation and have a number of measures in place at a local level to counter those who try to illegally profit.

“There is never supply without demand and a specific focus of our work is around those who may be receiving car parts such as exhausts.

“In particular, we have increased our visits to scrapyards and are working closely with them to ensure everyone is operating within the law.

“There are also ongoing operations on the roads to apprehend those who are transporting stolen items and committing related offences.

“I would call upon members of the public to help us in identifying these people so we can take action against them.

“If you have any information, call Bradford South Police on 0845 6060606, or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111.”