By Emma Dodd
With more people participating in caravan holidays than ever, it’s important to know how to keep yourself and your belongings safe.
The Camping and Caravanning Club has highlighted that around 1,200 caravans were stolen last year, but there are ways to prevent yours from having the same fate.
To help first-timers and old-timers stay safe, security experts from Yale have put together a checklist of things to remember throughout your trip.
Choose your pitch carefully, preferably within view of the main path or car park, as these areas are often well lit and someone is more likely to notice if something suspicious is going on.
Only bring valuables you really need with you and keep them out of sight. Putting them inside your sleeping bag at night is a good security measure.
Alternatively, you may want to invest in a compact safe to be housed in your caravan, where keys, cash and bank cards can be stowed safely.
Get to know your fellow caravanners, as this adds an extra layer of vigilance over your belongings. Your neighbours may be able to alert staff if they see someone new around your caravan.
Use a heavy duty padlock or chain to secure items like gas barbecues or stoves overnight. These things are valuable too.
Bikes are another thing you’re likely to leave lying around your pitch, as you and the kids jump on and off them throughout the day.
Just like you would at home, you should lock them up properly, otherwise you risk losing them. Bikes are good for opportunistic thieves who can wheel them away quickly and confidently.
Nottinghamshire Police has some extra tips for caravan safety too. Chief among them is not leaving your caravan registration and identification documents inside your van.
The force also reminds caravan owners to close their roof lights when leaving their van, as well as their windows and doors.
It says: “You know how valuable your own home is to you and how important it is to keep it secure. Imagine how you’d feel if someone broke in.
“But what about your caravan? On holiday or touring, you rely on it as your home. How would you feel if somebody broke in or stole it?”
