Police appeal after Swift Challenger stolen from caravan storage site

by Chris Jefferies
Caravan storage is a popular way for owners to increase security and reduce their insurance premiums, but even this sensible measure doesn’t ensure that your tourer won’t be stolen.
Ambitious thieves in the Shropshire area have made off with a Swift Challenger 490L from the Wem Industrial Estate storage centre.
Police believe that the incident occurred on Sunday night (July 24th) and the missing tourer is estimated to be worth around £9,000.
What’s more, the owners had planned to take the family ‘van on holiday next week, site worker Bill Nevett told Caravan Times today.
The owners were clearly keen to protect their five-berth ‘van, as the thieves had to break a wheel lock as part of the audacious raid.
Furthermore, the perpetrators had to evade a night-time dog patrol and pass a swipe-card operated security barrier.
Local Police Constable Dave Carpenter is appealing for witnesses to help track down the culprits.
“The thieves may have been spotted entering or leaving the industrial estate late on Sunday night. I would also ask for any information concerning the current whereabouts of the caravan,” he said.
Mr Nevett added that hopes are high for a successful outcome as the site’s CCTV cameras recorded the license plate of the vehicle used to steal the van, as well as footage of the driver.
“This is an extremely rare and most unusual event for us, but we are 100 per cent confident that we will be able to track them down,” he said.