An uptake in ownership in 2009 has led to a rise in caravan thefts. Marcus Dubois investigates.
The caravan industry received a boost this year when British holidaymakers decided to stay at home and weather the recession. Caravans have quickly become the in-vogue form of transport for those seeking ‘staycations’ in the UK.
Advance bookings for camping and caravan sites were up 40% in January from last year, prompting Nick Lomas of the Caravan Club to label 2009 as ‘the return of the great British holiday’.
Yet with all this publicity translating into 5 million more holidays, the downside is a surge in interest from opportunistic criminals. Many caravans are stolen to order, with an estimated 1,600 taken every year.
The good news is the number of vehicles stolen has fallen according to the National Caravan Council (NCC). However with more caravans on the roads this summer, the likelihood is thefts will increase.
With this in mind the NCC have released some security advice to combat caravan crime. The Deputy Director of the industry trade association, Alicia Dunne, explained ‘When on holiday in your touring caravan, don’t assume that all villains are on holiday
too! When you are relaxed it is easy to let your guard down, yet it is not difficult to make it hard for thieves. ‘
Motorway service stations are where holidaymakers may drop their guard, and the association advises ‘immobilise your caravan, even when you stop briefly’. It recommends using ‘hitchcocks, locking-wheelnuts and a good quality clamp’ even for short periods.
Criminals revel in the opportunities offered by open doors, windows and rooflights. It is recommended these should be closed even if momentarily away from the vehicle. Furthermore, leaving mobile phones, laptops or even spare change in sight only attracts felons.
If you’re unlucky enough to have taken these measures and still suffered a loss of your vehicle, help may still be at hand. The
NCC advises owners to register their vehicle with the Caravan Registration and Identification Scheme (CRiS). Since 1992, approved manufacturers have stamped the 17-digit vehicle identification number on the chassis and windows.
The NCC’s Alicia Dunne asks owners to ‘consider marking your chassis number or postcode inside cupboards and in other places inside your caravan with a permanent marker pen and keep a note of these places.”
As with all registration methods there are no guarantees. Whilst the CRiS currently holds details of over 10,000 outstanding
caravan theft reports, only as few as one in four of these caravans are recovered.
Finally, we may be a nation famous for our reserve, but the best advice is to get to know your neighbours while on holiday. Owners should ‘keep an eye on each other’s caravans and get to know who belongs on the site’
