A pollution-reducing device was stolen in just nine minutes from a vehicle in Osney, police said.
Officers said a catalytic converter was taken from a vehicle in Osney Mead on Sunday between 10.27-10.38pm.
Catalytic converters contain small amounts of platinum, palladium and rhodium, which can be sold at high prices.
It is thought hydraulic cutters or hand-held disc cutters are used to remove the devices, on the underside of the car, a manoeuvre, which can be done in about 40 seconds.
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