POLICE are warning drivers catalytic converter crimes are on the rise after a vehicle was targeted in Romsey.

Police were alerted to the theft after a vehicle in Ashdown Way was targeted just after 12pm yesterday (April 21), according to a Facebook post from Test Valley Cops.

Officers believe criminals are snatching more converters because the price of the metals within the converters - Rhodium and Palladium - has increased.

Some of the tips Hampshire police has released to protect vehicles include not parking half on the pavement and half on the road and buying a "cage clamp" to make the converted harder to remove.

A spokesperson from the force said: "If you have any information, or saw anything suspicious, please phone 101 with reference 44210150339."