Stolen vehicle recovery expert, TRACKER, is warning caravan owners that determined thieves are breaking through some of the most secure anti theft devices available in a bid to make the most of the caravan peak season. Police liaison officer for TRACKER, Stuart Chapman, believes that successfully stealing a caravan this time of year is made all the more easier for criminals, as its movement around the UK road network is ‘camouflaged’ by the thousands of legitimate caravans being used by their owners as they travel to and from holiday destinations.
“This is the time of year that caravan thefts start to reach their peak and worryingly we are seeing examples where single-minded thieves are removing industry recognised anti theft locks from caravans,” explains Stuart Chapman. His comments follow a recovery of a reported stolen caravan in Newcastle at 1pm earlier this week, which was recovered by police some 300 miles away in Essex at 4am the following morning.
Officers were able to locate the stolen caravan using TRACKER’s very high frequency (VHF) tracking system that was fitted to the caravan. The police can track a stolen vehicle even it is hidden in a shipping container or parked underground. This is unique to TRACKER, as its competitors’ GPS-only systems rely on being able to see the sky to determine the location of a stolen vehicle.
The caravan was stolen from a storage site not far from the where the owner, Mr Clifton, lived. He had been alerted to the theft by TRACKER’s movement sensor which is fitted to the caravan. On checking on the status of caravan at the site, the owner was able to report it stolen to the police. As soon as the police confirmed to TRACKER the caravan was being treated as stolen, TRACKER was able activate its system to successfully locate the caravan and the suspect.
Mr Clifton says: “Having a TRACKER device fitted to your caravan is essential. I strongly suspect we would never have seen our ‘van again if it didn’t have this type of security installed. Having had the caravan for 4 years, it’s home from home for us, and TRACKER acted quickly to trace it’s location and worked seamlessly with the police to secure it’s return.”
Adds Stuart Chapman: “Having a tracking device fitted offers caravan owners a very good chance of their stolen ‘van being recovered, even if it has travelled some considerable distance. Caravans are now attracting organised gangs of criminals who target the make and model they want, stealing to order. Whilst the caravan will probably be insured and eventually replaced, a theft at this time of year is likely to ruin holiday plans. Installing a vehicle tracking device will not only avoid inconvenience but could save considerable heartache.”
