“Gardai are warning caravan and campervan owners to be vigilant following a recent spate of thefts”.
Gardaí are warning caravan and campervan owners to take extra security measures after 13 caravans were stolen since March of this year. The most recent theft occurred earlier this month where a caravan worth around €4,000 was stolen from a yard. In total, 43 caravans and campervans were stolen between 1 January 2019 and 10 July 2020 with values per vehicle stolen ranging between €1,000 and €30,000. In total, over €30 million worth of items have been stolen from caravans over the last four years making them a very lucrative target for criminals.
With staycations expected to rise this year, and more people using caravans and campervans, the Gardai say owners need to be extra vigilant with the security of their vehicles. They say the following precautions should be taken when parked up to ensure the safety of your caravan or campervan vehicle:
- The hitch lock is on
- Wheel clamps are in place
- It’s locked to a secure point
- Ensure windows and doors are locked
- Valuables to be kept out of sight and removed when not in use
- Alarm and/or Tracking device fitted
- Park in a well-lit area
- Keep a light on if leaving the vehicle unattended overnight
- Use a cover when not in use
- Keep a record of all serial numbers, unique markings, images of the vehicle etc
- Keep documents secure
- Consider voluntarily registering your caravan with the Central Registration and Identification Scheme.
Criminals are opportunistic so its easy to think it won’t happen to you. If something is stolen from your vehicle, no matter what it is, call the Gardaí immediately.
