A NEIGHBOURHOOD watch has warned that recent catalytic converter thefts from cars have been carried out by “armed and ready” men.

In recent weeks, the groups says there has been a noticeable spike of the thefts, in which several were carried out overnight, with thieves targeting some spots three or four times a night.

Catalytic converter thefts can be lucrative for criminals - with the precious metals inside the devices selling for hundreds of pounds.

And the local Breightmet Blackshaw Neighbourhood Watch received several reports from its residents ­- including one woman who spotted a group of armed men on CCTV.

Chris Abalain, the group co-ordinator, said: “It was a couple of weeks ago that it seemed to spike and we were getting reports of two or three incidents a night.

“Residents need to be aware of the people out there who would steal these things and make sure their car is as secure as possible - whether that’s extra security measures, parking in a lit area, that kind of thing.

“I had one woman say that she had caught men on camera with baseball bats while they were stealing one of them.

“These men are armed and ready to do something about it if someone tries and stop them - it’s organised crime really.

“They are prepared to hurt people to get what they want. She was scared they would come back.”

Greater Manchester Police recently took part in a national week of action, in partnership with the British Transport Police, to tackle a rising trend in the theft of the converters.

The force said that it was an “increasingly concerning issue” within the Greater Manchester area, after seeing a significant increase in thefts since the start of the year.

Ward councillor Beverley Fletcher said that the thefts showed a need for investment in police and that being cautious was a sad indictment for “the world we live in.”

She said: “It is so easy to steal things now - you have thieves arrive and steal them within five minutes. It is sad that you have to go to such lengths to stop people stealing from you.

“If it is reported to police then they will increase patrols for a couple of days but the criminals know that and will just return again,” she added.

“The root of all of this is police funding and how much more is needed. It is all down to the lack of investment in police and that is a nation-wide issue.

“I would say that people need to take more safety precautions and park their car where it is harder for them to get to. Sadly, this is the world we live in at the minute, but you have to do these things.”