TWO callous thieves propped a car up at Tameside General Hospital and stole its catalytic converter in an "awful" crime.

Police were called to the hospital, based at Fountain Street in Ashton at around midday on Wednesday, January 5 to reports of a theft.

Enquiries have established two men used a jack to reach the chassis of a Toyota Auris – which belonged to a 40-year-old woman – before stealing an exhaust part, its catalytic converter, and leaving in a separate black Toyota Auris

No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.

Pictures of two men wanted in connection with the theft have been released by police.

The two men police want to speak to in connection with the catalytic converter theft at Tameside General Hospital on Wednesday, January 5 at around midday

The two men police want to speak to in connection with the catalytic converter theft at Tameside General Hospital on Wednesday, January 5 at around midday

Constable Ashlea Young, of Greater Manchester Police's Tameside Division said: "This is an awful crime which should not be underestimated.

"A member of the community has been left inconvenienced and significantly out of pocket after having to spend a large amount of money on vehicle repairs.

"We would like to reassure the community that thefts of such nature are a priority for Greater Manchester Police and are being actively tackled by local neighbourhood policing teams.

"We have been following all available lines of enquiry and have released CCTV images of two men we would like to speak to in connection with this theft.

"We are keen to speak to anyone who may have any information about this incident as well as any information that can help us to identify the men pictured.

"We also ask that members of the public remain vigilant regarding suspicious activity around motor vehicles by reporting it to the police."

Anyone with information are asked to contact police on 0161 856 9225, quoting incident number 3,107 of January 5.

Reports can also be made anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.