Epsom's ongoing wave of catalytic converter thefts is showing no signs of abating after three more were stolen in a single swoop by thieves at a Sainsbury's on Monday (September 14).

The thieves pulled into the Sainsbury's car park on Kiln Lane around 11am and targeted three different vehicles with a jack and an electric saw.

Police described how, when onlookers attempted to intervene, the suspects threatened them with violence before making off in a Honda CR-V:

"At around 11am, three men were seen to remove the converters with a jack and electric saw. When a member of the public tried to intervene, the suspects threatened them with a metal pole.

The suspects are described as white, in their mid-thirties and of stocky build. One man was wearing a navy blue top and the other two were wearing white t-shirts.

"They arrived and left the car park in a dark grey Honda CR-V," a spokesperson for Surrey Police, investigating, said.

The cars targeted by the thieves were selected for their catalytic converters — components attached to car exhausts that help regulate emissions of the vehicle.

The components are often made using alloys that include precious metals such as platinum, palladium and rhodium.

As the Surrey Comet reported previously, numerous thefts of catalytic converters have been reported in Epsom and Ewell this year, with police repeatedly publishing appeals for the public to help them search for those responsible.

Surrey Police urged any witnesses to call them on 101, quoting PR/45200097499, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.