Masked thugs were spotted stealing a catalytic converter off the bottom of a car near Richmond Park in Glasgow.

A local witnessed three men in balaclavas allegedly nick the valuable device around 9.30pm on Thursday, April 27, from a car parked on Haughview Terrace.

The witness said all three men were wearing masks and kitted out in tracksuits as they fled east towards Provost Way following the incident.

Meanwhile, in Greenock, an investigation has been launched after a string of attempted catalytic converter thefts were reported.

Three incidents were reported to the force on the same night. 

Three men were seen around 8.45pm on April 27 attempting to steal a catalytic converter from a Honda parked at Rankin Court.

One man was wearing dark clothing, a black mask and red gloves. The second male was wearing a grey and blue jacket with dark-coloured trousers and orange gloves.

There is limited information on the third man, but he was wearing a white face mask. 

The three thugs fled the scene after causing damage to the car.

Elsewhere, a further incident of attempted theft was reported at 10.45pm Smithy Court, Inverkip. The suspects were disturbed and ran off.

Again, around 11pm on the same evening, police received a report of three men trying to steal a catalytic converter in Greenock Road, Largs.

A member of the public scared off the suspects who made a run for it.

Catalytic converters are a target for thieves because they contain valuable precious metals including platinum, palladium, and rhodium.

Their external location allows crooks to easily cut them off.

Inspector Paul Thompson said: “Extensive enquiries are underway to identify and locate these men.

"I would like to appeal to local residents in those areas to contact us with any information they may have.

"In particular, I would ask anyone with dashcam or other recording devices to check the footage as it could hold images which could be helpful to our investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland quoting incident number 4015 of April 27, 2023. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and give your information anonymously.

The public is being asked to be alert to such crimes and to take steps to safeguard their property by parking cars in well-lit areas covered by CCTV if possible and using anti-theft devices.