A SPATE of catalytic converter thefts in Oxford has prompted a warning from police.

Motorist have reported 22 of the thefts from vehicles parked in residential streets around Oxford between Friday, March 8 and Wednesday, April 3.

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The force said most catalytic converters were stripped from vehicles between 9am and 6pm.

Catalytic converters contain small amounts of the precious metals platinum, palladium and rhodium which can be sold at high prices.

Police warned drivers to weld on bolted converters, consider CCTV, and put a unique serial number on it.

Anyone with information about the recent thefts is asked to contact police on 101, referencing 43190093221