Another Caravan Theft

[Parksy]

A Dethleffs caravan has been stolen whilst hitched up to a car at Clackett Lane motorway service area near to Limpsfield, Surrey on the M25.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/surrey/8187022.stm
Apparently the caravan was fully loaded and the owners were having a break and had left the caravan unattended.

It won't help matters to speculate on what sort of people steal caravans and the stereotyping of one group of people will only result in me being forced to close the thread.

I've brought this incident to members attention simply to reinforce the point that to leave your caravan unattended in a service area can lead to the theft of the unit even if it has a hitchlock and wheelclamp fitted.

Always have someone 'on guard' and don't give them the opportunity to commit more crime that will never result in a conviction.

 

[Dustydog]

I hope it wasn't one of Gumbo's.LOL.

A lot of Insurers now specifically exclude theft of an unattended caravan from a motorway service station. Check your policy wording.

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[Gumbo]

Plod said

"This is an incredibly unusual theft to occur and I am sure someone will know where this caravan and contents are or who was responsible.We are currently having a dispute over a parking fine at a Motorway Services, they say they have CCTV footage I wonder if they have it for the caravan being stolen ???

mmmmmmmm

 

[Robtel]

We stopped at services on M6 north of Birmingham, think it was Strentham or a name similar. I had stopped there before, it has a separate area for caravans away from cars and HGVs. This area will hold about 8 outfits and is almost completely surrounded by trees and bushes, very secluded for a motorway services. It is not too bad an area to stop for a break. Anyway for the first time when we arrived there was no HGVs or even worse solo cars parked in the caravan bays but there was 3 other caravans and one motor home. Two of the caravans were totally unattended by their owners, neither of these had any visible security devices such as wheel clamps in place. We had a fairly lengthy break there of well over an hour and for the most of that these vans were left unattended, shortly before we left the owners did come sauntering back.

Very Surprising

 

[WilliamLX]

It is very sad indeed that you can not pull into a service area and go to the toilet/shop/cafe without having to leave someone to guard your caravan, even when fitted with a hitch lock/wheel clamp etc. It may be sensible to leave someone but in a sad way it is letting the criminal win.

 

[Tram]

I had to stay with our outfit at the Humber Bridge viewing area. The rest went to view the bridge but there was a pick up parked in the caravan/coach park with a guy in it so I didn't risk leaving it unattended. It was still there when we left 40 minutes later.

 

[Steve L]

I'm afraid I totally disagree with Gumbo that this is a rare type of theft. Just think about it a little more like a thief.

Where better to find an already balanced caravan that is ready for the road. With the alarm switched off, the steadies wound up and no hitch lock or wheel clamp to burn off.

Just turn up with a tow vehicle with "breakdown recovery" signs on it and boldly get out wearing a high vis jacket and I would bet my shirt on it that no one would challenge the situation.

Now look at the road network. A fast motorway with neumerous exits available to pull off and change tow vehicle to a car and then you blend back into the tourist regieme.

I don.t wish to pour scorn upon the poor individuals who have lost their caravan this way. But any insurer worth his salt will run a mile once they findout that the wheel clamp and hitch lock were missing, so just be aware of that get out of jail card you may be giving the insurer's. And all for the sake of just 5 mins of hassle.

By the way my brother-in-law knew someone who made a good living of plying the M5 aquiring speed boats that he took to an unscroupleous boat yard near Exeter where they picked up cash no questions asked. They were eventually put out of circulation by interplod, but not before the scally he knew had got his house and jag out of the proceeds.

Steve L.

 

[hublock]

I'm afraid I totally disagree with Gumbo that this is a rare type of theft. Just think about it a little more like a thief.

Where better to find an already balanced caravan that is ready for the road. With the alarm switched off, the steadies wound up and no hitch lock or wheel clamp to burn off.

Just turn up with a tow vehicle with "breakdown recovery" signs on it and boldly get out wearing a high vis jacket and I would bet my shirt on it that no one would challenge the situation.

Now look at the road network. A fast motorway with neumerous exits available to pull off and change tow vehicle to a car and then you blend back into the tourist regieme.

I don.t wish to pour scorn upon the poor individuals who have lost their caravan this way. But any insurer worth his salt will run a mile once they findout that the wheel clamp and hitch lock were missing, so just be aware of that get out of jail card you may be giving the insurer's. And all for the sake of just 5 mins of hassle.

By the way my brother-in-law knew someone who made a good living of plying the M5 aquiring speed boats that he took to an unscroupleous boat yard near Exeter where they picked up cash no questions asked. They were eventually put out of circulation by interplod, but not before the scally he knew had got his house and jag out of the proceeds.

Steve L.

Hello Steve,

If you read the BBC report you will see Gumbo is only quoting Det Con Julian Knowles.

I'm sure he doesn't agree with him.

I am amazed the police can make such a statement!

This is very common, and everyone should be made aware and advised not to leave caravans unattended at service areas.

Even with a wheel clamp or hitch lock fitted you take a risk, but that's better than nothing.