Online Caravan Insurers Safeguard are advising drivers to remain on their guard despite a notorious gang of caravan thieves being taken off of the streets. Reckoned to be responsible for nearly half of the UK’s caravan thefts, the gang was recently convicted for their crimes.

Owners should be cautious not only of the organised gangs however, but aware of the threat the opportunistic caravan thief presents.

Safeguard manager Rita Sadler spoke of how pleased the company are that this gang have been stopped but warned that caravan owners “still need to be wary of the risks and take appropriate measures to ensure the security of their property.

“Organised crime rings often target larger, luxury models on a ’stolen to order’ basis. We find that the vehicles are at their most vulnerable when left unattended and unsecured, for example in driveways whilst owners are loading their caravans and also at motorway service stations.”

Sadler also spoke of the increasing sophistication used by caravan thieves, warning that “Locks and alarms are no longer a security guarantee.” Caravanners themselves need to start using more sophisticated forms of protection, like “specially designed tracking devices and mechanical devices such as wheel clamps can greatly reduce the risk of theft. As well as deterring thieves, security conscious caravan owners are likely to receive discounts on their insurance premiums.”

Safeguard themselves make the following recommendations to help protect your caravan:

• make sure you install an approved alarm and tracking device
• if you put your caravan in storage, ensure it is at a secure site approved by the Caravan Storage Site Owners Association (CaSSOA)
• if you keep it on your driveway, ensure you have a locking gate or drive post
• Make sure no valuables are left where they can be seen in your caravan
• preferably ensure your caravan has audible security
• bear in mind that wheel clamps are the absolute minimum requirement for insurance, and should be fitted at all times when the caravan is unattended.
• Lock down the rear corner steadies of touring caravans with a good quality hitchlock. This will help prevent the front of the unit from being lifted onto a vehicle and taken away

It of course goes without saying that you need a good caravan insurance policy. No amount of security can fully protect you from a determined thief, and in the event that your caravan should get stolen, you should be able to rest assured that you have suitable cover to ensure you won’t be left out of pocket.