Catalytic converter thieves knock down man in St James's Hospital car park

The thieves were removing a catalytic converter from a Honda Civic at 2.15pm on Friday, February 14, when they were spotted.

Members of staff then made their way to the car park to stop them but the group sped off in a blue/silver Ford Focus, hitting a 30-year-old man to the floor.

The car, bearing a cloned registration KX57 BGU, drove off into Gledhow Road.

The victim needed A&E treatment

He is recovering at home.

At about 11.30am that morning the same car was involved in the theft of a catalytic converter from a Toyota Prius at the Esso station, in Aire Valley Road, Temple Green.

The occupants of the vehicle are believed to be two or three males wearing sports-type clothing, with the lower halves of their faces covered.

Catalytic converters, which convert vehicle exhaust emissions into less toxic gases, are targeted because they contain high-value metals.

Thefts of catalytic converters are on the rise across the country.

Detective Inspector Richard Holmes, of Leeds District CID, said: “Although the suspects are unfortunately not identifiable on the CCTV images we are still interested in hearing from anyone who has seen them or the Ford Focus they were using either in the vicinity of either offence or anywhere else.

“The victim who was knocked down is still continuing to recover from his injuries and it’s vital that we catch those responsible for injuring him.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact DC 4159 Fisher at Leeds District CID via 101 quoting crime reference 13200081789 or online via www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat

Information can also be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.