by Joe Jeffrey
MP visits scheme initiative which has contributed to a 45 per cent decrease in number of caravan crimes
Members of a Caravan Park Watch scheme and the National Caravan Council (NCC) met to brief Boston and Skegness MP, Matt Warman, last week to discuss its work and achievements at Park Resorts’ Southview Leisure Park. The scheme is a partnership between Lincolnshire police, holiday parks across the county and other stakeholders who are working together to reduce caravan crime.
The Lincolnshire MP learnt about how the local initiative has gone from strength to strength and currently has in excess of 50 parks in membership. Its efforts have been rewarded with a 45 per cent drop in the number of crimes and claims, from members in the scheme, over the last year.
The current Caravan Park Watch scheme in Skegness was started in early 2014 when Community Inspector Andy Morrice combined forces with caravan park owners and representatives from the caravan manufacturing and insurance industries to discuss ways to help reduce the number of burglaries from caravans on holiday parks that occur each year, especially during the closed winter season.
The recent addition of an Information Sharing Agreement has enabled the police to share data, within strict guidelines and controls, about individuals suspected of caravan crime.
The Caravan Park Watch scheme continues to go from strength to strength, with future plans including working with insurance companies to introduce reductions on policy premiums for scheme members and owners on member parks, engaging with fire and rescue services over flood plans and continuing to promote the group across the sector and to the public.
NCC Membership Services Director, Frank Finch said: “The NCC is delighted to be able to support the Caravan Park Watch scheme and organise this briefing for Matt Warman MP at one of our member parks in Lincolnshire. Credit must go to Inspector Andy Morrice, Lincolnshire Police and all the members and supporters of the scheme who have helped to make it so successful.
“We take caravan crime and security seriously, as demonstrated through the development of new initiatives such as VIN Chip and our membership of the Caravan Safety and Security Group (CSSG). We will continue to promote initiatives like these across the country and share best practice wherever we can.”
Matt Warman, MP for Boston and Skegness, said: “The Lincolnshire Caravan Park Watch scheme is leading the way when it comes to preventing crime and sharing resources and ideas across the sector.
“The huge reduction in crime to date is testament to all the hard work that has been put into developing this important partnership and this briefing proved a great opportunity to discuss the challenges the caravan industry is facing and look at how we can work together going forward.”
Inspector Andy Morrice said: “Through constantly innovating and by working together we continue to drive crime down on caravan parks in Lincolnshire. For example, by distributing ‘caravan security tips’ we are empowering holiday makers to make the right decisions and keep their caravans safe and secure during both the winter and summer months. It was really encouraging to see so many members of the scheme turn-out for this briefing, particularly at such a busy time in the season, and participate in what was a really important and engaging session.”
