Shortage creates an increase in demand and opportunity for thieves warns Tracker
As the average price of caravans is set to surge this year, Tracker Network (UK) Ltd, the stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) expert, is warning owners to be extra vigilant when it comes to protecting their vehicles from thieves. The recent shortage of stock and increased demand has caused the price of second-hand caravans to grow drastically, with the average touring model increasing by £500-£700 at the start of the year. With costs not looking to decrease anytime soon, caravans are becoming a fresh target for criminals.
Clive Wain, Head of Police Liaison at Tracker said: “Demand for UK staycations and lack of overall supply inevitably means the average caravan price is set to increase throughout the year. Whilst caravans have always been a popular target for thieves, the demand has created a knock-on effect with the availability and price of parts for second-hand caravans, creating an opportunity for criminals.
“We have seen so many cases where professional criminals have been able to quickly cut through barriers, locks and other physical deterrents in order to get to a caravan. Physical deterrents such as secure storage facilities, hitch locks, wheel clamps, alarm systems and deadbolts will reduce the chance of theft, but only a tracking device will improve the chances of recovery if criminals get past these barriers.
“We work very closely with U.K. police forces recovering stolen caravans nationwide. Just recently Tracker, along with Cheshire Police, recovered a Elddis Camino Tourer caravan within 2 hours of it being stolen from a secure storage site. The caravan was recovered close to Ellesmere Port so if the thieves had been successful, it would have been on its way to either Europe, the Middle East or Africa. The thieves had also gone to big lengths to access the caravan; they removed a padlock on a gate to gain entry to the secure storage site where the caravan was kept, then went to work on two locking wheel nuts and a hitch lock, disarmed the alarm and towed the caravan across a recently harvested field to exit through a gap in the hedge they had made earlier.”
When buying a second-hand caravan from a dealer or even privately, check to see if it has a Tracker fitted. It will only take a phone call to pay a subscription fee which will mean your caravan is protected should the worst happen and it is stolen. Tracker is the only SVR provider offering vehicle tracking systems that are supported nationwide by UK police forces. Tracker’s SVR solutions work like an electronic homing device with a covert transmitter hidden in one of several dozen places around the vehicle. There is no visible aerial, so the thief will not know it’s there.
Tracker’s Caravan Security Tips
- Be sure to security mark the caravan with a VIN CHIP Identification System.
- Mark valuables and interior fitments inside the caravan with your postcode using an etching tool or engraver.
- Fit physical deterrents such as hitch locks, wheel clamps and deadlocks on doors to make it difficult for thieves.
- Remove all valuables from the caravan.
- Do not leave registration documents in the caravan as they can help thieves sell it on.
- Always close and lock doors and windows.
- When planning for the storage season, choose a site with good security rather than just a good price.
- Fit a Tracker device to increase the chance of recovery in the event of theft.
