Caravan theft has increased by seven per cent since 2021, according to new research from leisure insurance specialist InsureMy.
The data also revealed that holidaymakers aged 60 and above tend to suffer the most expensive losses from theft, with the average value stolen being £6,135 – more than doubling the £3,064 figure of caravan owners aged between 20 and 40.
These numbers highlight the sad reality of caravan theft. Just 11 per cent of leisure vehicles stolen in 2022 were recovered and a mere two per cent of all reported crimes resulted in a suspect being charged.
Once a caravan has been stolen, it’s not easy to get it back. So, the best thing you can do to avoid losing your leisure vehicle is to take preventative measures.
Caravan security measures
According to the National Caravan Council, there are approximately 555,000 touring caravans in the UK this year, meaning the opportunity for theft is high.
When it comes to security measures, data from InsureMy showed that hitch locks and wheel clamps were the most common methods used by caravan owners to deter criminals, whilst trackers, microtags, anti-tamper devices and even Smart Water all featured in the responses, albeit far less often.
Older caravan owners appear to be more concerned about security, with an average respondent in their 70s implementing 35 per cent more preventative measures than those aged under 30.
In fact, more than two-thirds of caravanners aged over 70 have an alarm, compared to just 41 per cent of those under 30. While other measures exist to slow down criminals, an alarm draws attention and could force them to give up on your caravan before they get caught.
Jon Hatton at InsureMy commented: “Caravans may not seem like the obvious priority for a gang of thieves, but the value of a caravan itself and its contents, the fact they are built to be easy to tow and the lack of compulsory registration details that are required for motor vehicles means they can be a lucrative target.”
With that in mind, here are five tips to prevent caravan theft:
- Ensure your caravan is kept in a secure location that is difficult to access
- Use adequate preventative measures – a hitch lock and wheel clamp should be a minimum
- Don’t leave valuable items in your caravan
- If the leisure vehicle is parked on your drive, consider having the tow bar face your house to make it more difficult for thieves to steal
- Above all, make sure you have adequate insurance that covers you should your caravan be damaged or stolen.
Read the full InsureMy Caravan Security Report 2023 here.
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