Vehicle Crime
Steer Clear of Caravan Crime
Although modest in number, the 3000 or so caravans reported stolen each year represent major inconvenience to their owners. A caravan is an extension to your home and theft hits right at the centre of the emotions.
Self help security
Consumers can help protect their caravan for literally pennies. By writing the caravan VIN number in hidden places, such as on the underside of drawers, in cupboards and on other areas of bare wood, owners can help the police to identify their caravan if it is ever stolen. Make sure you use a permanent marker pen to do this.
Owners should also consider other security measures. These include locking the caravan coupling head into a cover using a good quality hitchlock and fitting locking wheel nuts. Don't forget to close all windows and doors, including the rooflight every time you leave your caravan and remember never to leave anything valuable on display including anything with your home address on it.
Sold Secure protection
After market security aids are essential in protecting your caravan. When choosing a product try and ensure it comes with "Sold Secure" approval. Sold Secure is an independent test house that puts market security aids through the rigors of testing.
The Caravan Registration and Identification Scheme (CRiS)
The CRiS scheme is an important tool in the fight against caravan crime. As the central database for caravan owner registrations it is a key component, not just in identifying stolen caravans, but in combating finance and insurance fraud. Insurance companies and Police are able to carry out initial CRiS enquiries online through HPI Check ltd.. All caravans manufactured by members of the National Caravan Council since 1992 have been automatically registered with CRiS and since 1997 have had the additional benefit of an electronic transponder fitted to allow covert checking by police forces. Since early 2001, the scheme has also accommodated caravans manufactured before 1992 and an application pack is available direct from CRiS. It is essential that when buying a used caravan the purchaser carrys out a CRiS check. For a modest fee, they can then buy confidently knowing that the caravan they are buying is what the seller claims it to be.
VCRAT Leisure Sector Group
As part of the Government strategy for reducing vehicle crime, the caravan sector have established a leisure sector task group. Reporting direct into the main Vehicle Crime Reduction Action Team (VCRAT) committee, the task group has initiated a number of projects aimed at reducing the number of caravans stolen each year.
Aims & Objectives
To reduce the opportunity for caravan theft and improve the recovery rate when it does happen.
Membership
Under the Chairmanship of the former Director General of the National Caravan Council, the group consists of representatives from the Home Office, user organisations, the Camping & Caravanning Club and the Caravan Club, the Caravan Registration & Identification Scheme, the National Criminal Intelligence Service, the National Trailer & Towing Association, Bedfordshire Police, the Association of British Insurers, the British Marine Federation and the Caravan Insurance Theft and Research Group.
Tasks / Initiatives
The group has initiated a range of projects targeting the consumer, industry and the police:
A new consumer awareness leaflet has been launched which is available from caravan dealers and the clubs,
A single point of access for stolen caravan data and the expansion of CRiS to other light trailer markets.
As the group quickly identified a lack of product knowledge within the police, which inhibited effective policing, a training video and workbook was produced and sent to every police force in the country to help them play their part effectively in the battle against caravan crime. Working together, the industry and consumer organisations have funded this important and strategic initiative.
Last update: 22 April 2004