THREE catalytic converters were stolen in two burglaries at industrial estates in Andover over the weekend.

Between Friday, 17 April and Monday, 20 April a Mercedes Sprinter catalytic converter was removed and taken from a van outside a locked industrial unit on Duke Close on the Walworth Industrial Estate.

It is understood thieves cropped the lock on the compound to gain entry.

A second burglary took place on the Portway Industrial Estate between Saturday, 18 April and Monday 20 April where two Mercedes Sprinter catalytic converters were taken.

The incident took place at premises on Royce Close and the theft was to a value of £5,000 to have the exhaust systems replaced.

The burglaries are the latest in a series of catalytic converter thefts in the area.

Since January, 12 converters have been reported stolen in and around Andover, all from the chassis of Mercedes Sprinters and each round of thefts happening between six and eight weeks apart.

Thieves are using either a cordless disc cutter or a racheting exhaust pipe cutter to remove the converters from underneath the vehicles.

It is thought that thefts of catalytic converts are a country-wide problem.

Sergeant Steve Parker from Andover Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "We would like to hear from anybody who sees anyone walking with or carrying an exhaust system on an industrial estate outside of normal hours."

If anyone has witnessed anything suspicious or has any information, contact Andover Police on 101.