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Gardaí urge caravan owners to Park
Smart
07.08.20
AS part of their
Park Smart appeal, Gardaí are appealing to caravan
and campervan owners to take extra security measures
following a cluster of recent thefts. This comes as
a result of 13 caravans being stolen since March,
2020.
Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Ber Leetch said
"With staycations expected to rise this year, and
more people using caravans and campervans, there is
a need to be extra vigilant with security. As a
campervan owner myself, I always make sure we have
the hitch lock on when we are parked up for the
evening or when it’s not in use. We have also
invested in a tracking device, they can be purchased
for around €150, so if our campervan was ever stolen
there is a better chance of getting it back.
"A caravan or campervan can be a very expensive, and
the items you have inside them could be
irreplaceable if they hold a sentimental value. I
would recommend that you keep valuables out of sight
and make sure everything is locked when you go out.
Criminals are opportunistic so whilst you may think
that its fine whilst you pop out for half an hour,
you never know. Don’t give them the opportunity by
not securing it. Please make sure you park smart and
lock up your caravan or campervan no matter where
you are. If something is stolen from you, no matter
what it is, call the Gardaí immediately.” |
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As part of the Park
Smart campaign, Gardaí have previously highlighted
that over €30 million worth of items has been stolen
from vehicles in the last four years. Caravans and
campervans are no different and should be keep
secure with no valuables left inside, if possible.
Since January 2019, 43 caravans and campervans have
been stolen in Ireland. The most recent incident
occurred on in July where a caravan worth around
€4,000 was stolen from a yard. The owner had no
record of any serial number or chassis number or
image of the caravan, which can make it very hard
for Gardaí to recover.
Crime Prevention Advice
• Ensure a good quality hitch lock and wheel clamps
are in place and that the caravan is locked to a
secure point
• Get an alarm fitted if one is not already in place
• Keep valuables out of sight and remove when not in
use
• Ensure windows and doors are locked
• Park in a well-lit area. Keep a light on if
leaving unattended overnight
• Use a cover when not in use. This may deter
thieves as pulling off a cover can be noisy and add
to the time taken to steal the caravan
• Keep good records of all serial numbers, unique
markings, image of the caravan/campervan etc. Keep
documents secure
• Consider voluntarily registering your caravan with
the Central Registration and Identification Scheme |
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