You know how valuable your own home is to you. You know how important it is to keep it secure. Imagine the feeling of loss and frustration you'd have if a thief broke in.

But what about your caravan? On holiday or touring, you rely on it as your home. Think how you'd feel if someone broke in or stole it.

Your caravan is a target for thieves. Whether it is on a site, parked in your driveway or you're just stopping for a short time in a lay-by or motorway service station, it's important to protect it.

A lot of caravan crime is the result of criminals seeing opportunities and taking them. But you can easily outsmart the thief by following some simple guidelines.

Remember, most caravan crime is preventable.
Don't give criminals an easy ride.

SECURITY DEVICES

Immobilise your caravan, even when you stop only briefly

Make sure your caravan can't be towed away by following these simple tips.

* Lock the coupling head into a cover using a good quality hitchlock. Hitchlocks give a reasonable degree of protection from the opportunist thief.

* Use locking wheelnuts and a good quality clamp on the caravan wheels.

* Think about securing each corner steady by using a good quality padlock and make sure it has a short shackle to prevent thieves from cutting through it. Alternatively motorcycle brake pad locks may also be used for added security.

* If you use a chain, make sure it's a strong heavy duty one.

* You may also want to have a tracking device fitted, allowing the Police or system operator to track the caravan if it is stolen.

Make your caravan secure

You can take the following simple steps to stop thieves breaking into your caravan.

* Have a reliable alarm fitted and remember to turn it on whenever you leave your caravan, even if it is only for a short time.

* Always close doors, windows and any rooflight when you leave your caravan - even if it's only for a short time.

* Always lock your caravan and take the keys with you. At home, always keep your caravan keys in a safe place which is out of sight and away from windows and doors.


PROTECT YOUR BELONGINGS

Don't leave anything valuable on display

Even an old coat on a seat is a temptation for someone to 'smash and grab' - they steal first and think about value later.

Take all your valuables with you when you leave the caravan

If you can't, lock them in a cupboard out of sight, as thieves will look for and take advantage of every opportunity. To be really sure, think about having a specialised caravan safe fitted.

Never leave any of the following on display in your caravan. These are all particularly attractive to thieves. Also, never leave CRiS registration documents or purchase receipts in your caravan. They could help a thief to sell it on.

Mobile phones - Laptop computers - Credit and Debit cards - Cheque books - Cash - Private mail, especially with your address on it.


SECURITY MARKING

Security marking helps the Police to identify and return stolen caravans or their contents to their rightful owner, and can put off thieves.

Since 1992 all National Caravan Council (NCC) recognised manufactures have stamped the 17-digit vehicle indentification number (VIN) on to the vehicle chassis and etched it into the windows. If your vehicle is not marked in this way, have your chassis number etched onto all your windows. Consider marking your chassis number or postcode inside cupboards and in other places inside your caravan with a permanent marker pen and keep a note of these places. It may help you to identify your caravan if it is stolen.

Consider marking all your valuables, especially those you often take in your caravan. Mark items with your postcode or some other unique identifying number linked to a recognised database and keep a note of any serial numbers in a safe place. This should help the Police to return your belongings to you if they are stolen and recovered. It also helps to convict criminals.

The Crime Prevention officer at your local Police station should be able to provide more information about marking schemes.

Keep a note of these identifying numbers and the places where they have been marked in your caravan, along with photographs of your caravan and its interior fittings. This information will help the Police identify your caravan if it is stolen.


ON SITE

Always try to use a Police approved secured caravan park whenever possible. These have gained a Police 'Secured by Design' award for security features which lessen the opportunity for crime to take place and offer a safer and more secure environment for you and your caravan. The Crime Prevention Officer at your local police station will be able to give you information about any secured caravan parks in your area.


GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS

Keep an eye on each other's caravans and get to know who belongs on the site. Don't be afraid to report anything suspicious to the site manager or the Police


WHEN YOUR CARAVAN IS NOT IN USE

Remember, your caravan is even more vulnerable when it is not being used. Caravans left on sites, storage compounds and even on your driveway are particular targets for thieves.

But wherever it is, immobilise your caravan using quality wheel clamps or a security post fitted near the front of the 'A' frame and the main body (or both).

Remove all your personal belongings and contents when you are not using your caravan. Leave cupboard doors and curtains open - thieves can be put off by a caravan that is obviously empty

Store your caravan securely

If you are choosing a storage site, don't just look at the price. Check to see that it offers good security measures. Remember, if you can enter the storage area and remove your caravan without being approached, then so can a thief.

If you're leaving your caravan at home, ask a neighbour to keep an eye on your caravan as well as your house. Consider fixing good quality fixing posts on your drive to prevent your caravan being stolen while you are not there.

Please refer to the LINK on Caravan Insurance and Tracking Devices

(www.caravan-insurance-online.co.uk)