Thanks to a successful collaboration with Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire police forces
A Swift Challenger Caravan worth £23,000 was stolen from a secure caravan storage farm in Leicestershire and was successfully recovered 72 miles away on a farm in Peterborough. On realisation the caravan was gone, the owner contacted stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) expert, Tracker Network UK Limited who activated the tracking device that had been installed on the caravan. In collaboration with Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire police forces it was tracked on the move across the Midlands region over a 24-hour period before it was finally located with no damage.
Owner Richard Stringer comments, “We had only had the caravan a few days and as it was locked in a protected compound, we hadn’t yet insured it. The thieves broke through substantial security to access the site, where other caravans were also being stored, and quickly fled into the night. As a motorsport engineer, I use my caravan all the time during the race season to stay overnight on location, therefore it’s a huge asset that would have been severely missed had it not been found and returned.
“Previously, we had always only brought caravans worth a few thousand, so this upgrade was a huge investment. Had it not had an SVR unit installed by Tracker, I doubt it would have been recovered, meaning we would have been thousands of pounds out of pocket. The fact that all three police forces use Tracker’s technology in their police cars to locate stolen vehicles, they were able to successfully trace the caravan over three counties. I am so relieved to have it back and it is now fully insured, a mistake that I won’t make again.”
Steve Whittaker, Police Liaison Manager for Tracker comments, “Now we have entered winter with long periods of darkness, it is vital caravan owners protect their vehicles properly with multiply security measures, like hitch locks, wheel clamps and deadlocks, and of course an SVR unit. Whilst Mr Stringer couldn’t have predicted the thieves could break into a secure compound, we know from experience that thieves are scrupulous and where there is a will, there is always a way.”
Tracker is the only SVR provider offering vehicle tracking systems that are supported nationwide by UK police forces. Its detection units are fitted in over 2000 police patrol vehicles and throughout the national fleet of Police helicopters that comprise the National Police Air Service (NPAS). It is also the only vehicle tracking company that uses VHF technology.
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.
