It must be the time of year, suddenly motorhomes and caravans are appearing everywhere, must be the time of year that many come out of hibernation.
You may have seen the recent BBC programme Caravanner of the year, I am sure many of you that watched it never expected it to be so funny and its popularity took even the BBC by surprise. If you haven’t seen it yet catch up on BBC iplayer. (Even if you are not into caravans it is funny) This was followed closely by a programme about the history of caravans.
So this prompted me to think about the security for them, hence the Caravan and Motorhome Security post. It’s not something we cover here at Standfast Security but hopefully some of these points you may find useful. Any top tips you have please let me know and I’ll add them in to help others.
Motorhome, campervan and caravan is a bit of a mouthful, so I’m going put you all in the same group and use ‘caravans’, don’t get upset, I’m not showing favouritism, just keeping it simple!
It isn’t easy to find out actual crime figures for the theft of caravans but it seems the chance of having your caravan stolen is somewhere in the region of 1 in 200. Sadly very few are recovered because their identifying marks are easily removed by the thieves who are selling them on. So although your chance of losing yours is quite low, especially if you take some security precautions, the financial loss could be substantial and for many, the sentimental value.
There are however a number of things that will increase your chance of theft.
- Caravans around 2 or 3 years old are more likely to be stolen
- Caravans not stored securely
- Caravans not fitted with additional security devices
- Caravanners not following sensible crime prevention when out and about
Insurance
Insurance companies exist to make profits for their shareholders. They happen to make their money by providing you with insurance cover. Should you need to make a claim they will first of all look to see how they can minimise what they pay you or not pay you at all. They can do this because you will have signed and or agreed on a contract and if you have failed to do something, which results in the theft, don’t be surprised if you have difficulty claiming.
So, my advice is to ensure your caravan and to do everything asked of you, without fail.
The good news is that caravan security doesn’t have to cost that much extra on top of your existing running costs. If you belong to one of the leading clubs, in no particular order, The Caravan Club & The Caravan and Camping Club often can get a competitive price. In fact, a number of security devices will require a one-off payment and will sit with your caravan for as long as you keep it.
To help prevent theft
- When parked or not in use you could use a hitchlock, locking wheel nuts, a wheel clamp, a wheel lock. If using chains make sure they are heavy duty and through hardened. Maybe consider storing it in a compound / secure parking.
- Remove all personal belongings, possibly remove contents and leave curtains / cupboards open so anyone looking in can see its empty. I know that may be a bit of a task but if nothing else it gives you a good chance to have a sort through too, especially if you are not going to be using it for some while.
- A good idea, if possible, when the caravan is at home, install a pull-up parking post
- Consider fitting a tracking device
- Fit and use an alarm whenever the caravan is vacated
- Consider a caravan safe
- Consider hiding several identifying RFID electronic tags
- Keep doors, windows and roof lights closed and locked whenever the caravan is vacated. It may be possible to fit additional locks for added security. There is some debate as to whether its better to leave curtains open or closed when parked up and off for the day sightseeing etc.
- Do not keep important paperwork relating to the caravan inside the caravan, such as the CRiS registration form as this could help the thief sell it on
- Keep your CRiS registration up to date
- Make a note of serial numbers of valuable items and maybe photograph the interior and identifying marks which may be useful for identification
- Keep your caravan keys and car keys separate and keep them on you. When at home put them in an insurance rated safe.
When you are away having fun don’t forget the security advice.
Sold Secure is a test house and certifying body owned by the Master Locksmith Association (MLA) to which Standfast security is a long-standing member. http://www.soldsecure.com
Personally, I don’t think it’s the most user-friendly site, however, it should point you in the direction of quality products rather than those that just say they are….
The following information is from the crime prevention site.
Alarms
A wide range of alarms designed for caravan use is available. Take your time in deciding what alarm to purchase by comparing the specifications of each. They range from wireless systems that connect to a 12-volt battery and signal activations to several ‘key holders’ via mobile phones through to a simple standalone battery-operated alarm, the sort you might have in a shed. An audible siren is necessary in all cases, but bear in mind that these can be attacked by the intruder to silence them. I recommend speaking to other owners along with the experts.
Tracking
Modern tracking systems use GPS to track the location of your vehicle and or caravan and will help you locate it after it’s been stolen, providing the tracking device has not been discovered and removed from the caravan. Some systems will alert the owner via the mobile phone network should the vehicle be moved.
Make sure that the tracking system you purchase has been designed for use with caravans. Look for a system that has been approved by Sold Secure or Thatcham
If you want a police response to an alert from your tracking system then you’ll need to purchase one that meets with the Association of Chief Police Officers Stolen Vehicle Tracking Policy
The police won’t recover the caravan for you (you’ll have to make your own arrangements for recovery), but they will respond to a request to find it and notify you of where it has been found and take action if a crime has been committed. That being said the police do not offer any guarantees of response. The response will be determined by a number of factors, not least the demands on police resources at the time of the alert.
You will incur an installation charge for a professionally installed system and there will be ongoing monitoring fees.
CRIS (Caravan Registration and Identification Scheme)
All touring caravans manufactured since 1992 by members of the National Caravan Council (NCC) have been marked on their chassis and on all windows with their unique 17 digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which are recorded on the CRiS database. Since 1997 they have also been electronically tagged (See RFID Chips below) and from 1999 CRiS was extended to include the registration of caravans manufactured prior to 1992 and privately imported caravans. CRiS also provides a microdot marking system, which can be applied to a number of surfaces inside the caravan. Each microdot carries the VIN.
RFID Chips (transponders) and Asset Marking
RFID chips are used for asset identification and if your caravan has not been installed with these transponders then it is recommended that you do use them along with a DNA marking system. These products are often supplied together as a whole marking system. Once tagged and marked (You do this yourself) you then register your caravan (or motor home) with the supplier.
The typical system includes tiny electronic transponders (RFID chips) which have unique embedded codes, a unique DNA UV solution, which may also contain identifying microdots, tamper-evident chassis plates, warning labels and a registration form. Using a system like this permanently identifies the caravan as belonging to you and it is almost impossible to remove the entire DNA marking even if the RFID chips are found, which is also unlikely if well hidden.
All UK police forces have access to RFID transponder readers. During police roadside operations the readers are often used to check the ownership of caravans, trailers, agricultural vehicles and plant machinery.
Use a system that meets recognised security standards. See Standards for Property Marking Products and Services for further information. Suppliers of such systems, often mentioned in caravanning literature, include Datatag and Selecta DNA
Consider applying roof marking that can be seen by the police from helicopters and motorway bridges. It is recommended that you use the CRiS number together with the year of manufacture. Do not use your postcode.
Caravan Storage
When a caravan is not being used most owners will keep them at a caravan storage site. It would be very wise to ensure that the site you store them at is secure and this website, therefore, recommends you use a site that has been accredited by CaSSOA – the Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association.
CaSSOA (Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association) represents caravan storage site owners’ across the UK and work towards minimising caravan theft by promoting the highest levels of security.
There are over 400 CaSSOA accredited caravan storage sites across the UK, which have been independently assessed by an experienced surveyor for security features, access and amenities to make sure they provide superior levels of protection from theft.
There are three levels of CaSSOA accredited storage: Bronze, Silver or Gold. Accreditation is based on a number of features including CCTV, access control, perimeter fencing and alarm systems.
Bronze rated facilities have good basic fencing and security systems to deter thieves while the highest Gold rating is only given to compounds with the most rigorous standards in their facilities and processes.
Because CaSSOA is a recognised membership body providing security accreditations, many insurance companies offer policy discounts for vehicles stored on secure CaSSOA sites.
There are CaSSOA accredited storage sites nationwide.
Visit http://www.cassoa.co.uk/find-a-cassoa-site/ to find your nearest site.
Asset Marking Suppliers
Datatag http://datatag.co.uk/caravan.php
Selecta DNA https://www.selectadna.co.uk/
Important Caravanning Organisations:
CRiS (Central Registration and Identification Scheme) www.cris.co.uk
CSSG (Caravan Safety and Security Group) http://www.cssginfo.co.uk/
NCC (National Caravan Council) http://www.thencc.org.uk/
The Caravan Club http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/
The Camping and Caravanning Club http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/