PROTECT YOUR MOTORHOME
Over the past 10 years, vehicle crime as a whole has been steadily reducing, but the pandemic has seen it rising again. Vehicle recovery firm Tracker has reported a 29% increase in leisure vehicle theft by the end of August 2021. But some simple steps can help to stop your home from home becoming yet another crime statistic.
First, to be clear, there is little to protect you from professional thieves. Some years ago, a Channel 5 documentary, Grand Theft Auto UK, followed one such gang in action – eye-opening clips are still available on YouTube.
What it highlighted was that professional thieves are no fools. Their set-up starts with spotters, who are paid to find a specific vehicle (most are stolen to order). Once found, they follow it home to see if the keys are easy to steal, or pass on the details to the gang. A duplicate key is made, the ’van is taken and trackers and alarms are disabled. Then it’s into a shipping container and onto a boat, or being chopped up for parts.
Only one thing can protect you against these determined criminals, and that’s insurance. Make sure you have excellent cover and follow your provider’s advice to the letter – if they require a tracking device, fit one that they approve.
Keys and keyless entry
Professional thieves love people who leave their vehicle keys near their front door – it saves them the bother of having to make duplicate keys or breaking in. If your key is visible from a letterbox, cat flap or window, you’re an easy target.
Armed with a telescopic rod or a hooked stick, they can easily obtain your keys. Always hide them from view, preferably in a key safe.
