A SPATE of thefts from Oxford park and rides has prompted a warning from police.

Officers were out yesterday warning drivers of the 'at risk' cars that are being targeted for catalytic converters.

The force said cars most at risk are the Toyota Auris, Toyota Prius, and Honda Jazz.

A post of the warning to Facebook prompted a number of comments including some people reporting that even cars parked in the John Radcliffe Hospital staff car park have fallen victim to the thefts.

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

Drivers are urged to weld on bolted converters, consider CCTV, and put a unique serial number on it.