I think the rule of thumb is not to leave anything valuable around - leave it in the car. Which is fine for cameras, phones etc, but hardly practical for 'camping hardware'. It always amuses me that when your at home, you make sure your windows and doors are locked, and the alarm set when you go out. And then we go camping and leave our stuff with nothing more than a piece of zipped up material between it and a thief!
I'm not sure about padlocking zips - I think it may make the undesirables think you have something worth taking. But I may well look into one of these alarm wire things before our next trip.
Funnily enough, I was talking to my Aunt the other day about our holiday, and she asked how we go on regarding security. The reason she asked is that she lives in the Lake District, and apparently, there is quite a problem in that area with 'Criminal Tourists' coming over from the North East purposely to steal from 'legitimate' tourists. If this is true, it is indeed a sad state of affairs.
PS: No offence is meant to any members from the North East. I am simply repeating something I was told, which may or may not be true.
we recently went away with some 1st time campers who said (do we just leave our tent when we pop out)oh and i set about lauphing and said no you take it with you we explained campers arnt like that everyone watches out for each others thing after reading this thread im reluctant to leave my tent
This is a real eye opener!!! We left our tent overnight at a site in Lawshall, (we did remove the EHU) and came back to continue camping and wondered what we would find. All we did was put extra tent pegs in the two door openings. Arrived back 24hrs later and everything was fine ... but after reading this would not rush to do it again .... so sorry to hear that! We are too trusting and laidback and thats when the scumbags hit us (our house had previously been burglared, so know that feeling too well).
My only suggestion would be to be aware of who belongs to which tent and keep ya eyes peeled for suspisious characters.
B at ?$5*&Ds whoever you are!!!!!! I was thinking about doing lightweight camping with the kids (ie getting up to scarborough on public transport!!! Won't bother now!!!! So sorry, I would like to think this was a one off as I thi like to think we are all good honest citizens.
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Windy jo
Best keep off the baked beans
I am always sad to hear of these things going on, I do wonder however if because of the internet etc, we can communicate easier that it sounds like things are getting grim, I have been camping in the lakes for a lot of years, and it is nothing new that organised groups target the area, for as long as I can remember we were always advised to lock everything in the car that was valuable ( including sleeping bags) if we were away from the tent, the funny thing tho is a few years ago we stopped at the Langdale site as a family and didnt bother putting anything away and nothing was touched, we have just returned ourselves and unfortunatly the wife left her watch in the shower, realised about 15 mins later and it had gone never to be seen by us again, the wardeness said she would be very suprised if no one handed it in. we chatted to one family who said that last year at the site they had a gas bottle and some clothing taken and this is a small site. It is of course not just England, it happens abroad and from what I hear more so.
Before we went on our first trip a few weekends ago we were concerned about leaving the tents. But we were impressed by the site we chose, there was only one entrance with the reception next to it. The wardens were patrolling regularly, so much that when a stray car appeared on the site they were asking all around who it belonged to.
It also helped that the site was small and not close to any major towns or cities, also off the main roads. In future we will be looking for similar sites; small, away from major population areas and well patrolled.
I would be tempted to lock up the tent in some way but feel that would lead to slashing causing more damage.
I think that removing all valuables and perhaps even unhooking the electric and hiding it within the tent is a good idea. Unfortunately it is a risk we all have to take when sleeping under canvas.
To be honest we dont take anything that is too valuable with us. the cameras etc are kept in the car all the time.
Sorry to hear about your theft. Its funny but the last time I was in Scarborough, someone stole our Camping Kitchen Waterproof cover. It was cheap and only cost a couple of pounds, but I was still mad that someone stole it. That was on a very busy flower of May site, which we have not went back to.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Rogue Campers
