Last Friday, a heavily accented person of Irish descent came to my door asking if i had 'any old caravans or cars for sale'. Strangely enough my 'r' reg car was on the drive, as was our 1988 Abbey Lincoln, which we've just renovated. I told him 'no' (before I set the hounds on him).
This Sunday (2 days later) we were prepping the 'van for a test tow, when a dark green 'w' reg Freelander came tearing up the close where we live. Never seen it before. It slowed down and the 2 occupants stared at our 'van, speeded up, drove to the end of the road and tuned round. They then repeated the process on the way back past. The occupants were in their 50's, with much bushy grey hair. They then drove out of the close without stopping or slowing for anything else.
Now - am I reading too much into this, or do I have a right to feel worried? We have a hitch lock on the 'van, and since the incident my husband has removed a wheel, hidden all the wheel nuts, and parks his car at the end of the drive each night - it takes a lot to worry him.
I called our local cop-shop, who took the details, and said 'there were certain people whose whereabouts was of interest to them...'
we live in a small village and on asking round, no-one has any knowledge of the car.
Thankfully we're going away on Friday, and putting it back into storage on the way home. Still gives me the willies tho...
Better safe than sorry and all that, even if nothing is untoward. Gives you the chance to take the tyre down to Tesco to get it pumped up as well!!!
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
if your planning on going away make sure next door know, as they will see the van and your car gone, so might go in the house, get them to keep a very close eye
saying that i have an irish type person come round and ask about my shogun when i was rebuilding the engine and that never came of anything
mike
Hi crazyguider, No you were not over reacting, I have had same thing happen 4 times at my location,minutes from A8 Glasgow/Edinburgh road, twice with older white transit van, and twice with flat bed type pick up,both had tow bar fitted, 2 occupants in them late 30s and 50s,on the 4 occasions,did the exact same routine as in your case, have the security cameras on now, and an old imperial ball that fits into the AL-KO AKS 3004 hitch(with lock type saddle over handle), turn the 5pin key and pins protroude out each side of ball, The ball will not drop out even when release handle lifted,the only down side is you cant get stabiliser handle down into position. but thats a small price to pay,for that little bit extra security.If i see any vans slow down going past my drive and having a good look at my caravan, will jot down thier number, i think your were justified in your thoughts.
------------- If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.
Maybe if the boys in blue had a drive about your area, it would put off the undesirables from trying anything - a kind of we know what you're upto!! I would keep taking down any unknown vehicle registration plates etc. just in case.
Our van is at the back of our flats (we're getting ready to go away), and we have a wheel clamp and hitch lock on it, but I still wake up at every sound and I usually sleep like a dead person. I feel much better when it's in storage.
------------- When life gets you down, go caravanning!
I ask my neighbours to park on my drive when I am away in the 'van. It helps to make the place look occupied and saves them shuffling cars about when one of them wants to go out. The big dog water bowl near the door also makes visitors a bit nervous about what might be big enough to need such a large bowl. The cctv and the sign saying 'Unwanted visitors will be treated as dinner' might also help.
------------- 'A sure cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree'
Now - am I reading too much into this, or do I have a right to feel worried? We have a hitch lock on the 'van, and since the incident my husband has removed a wheel, hidden all the wheel nuts, and parks his car at the end of the drive each night - it takes a lot to worry him
no we have had instances of this last week.a white flat bed truck with high sides home made did the very same thing.but these two went a bit further as one was stood on the back looking and drove round three times very slowly.they had washing machines on the back and other bits of iron ect.the caravan is well locked but the guy across the road had all his large garden ornaments taken that night after 12 am.as luck would have it if a strange truck/car comes down here i take his number which i passed on to the police.dont know any more than that.lead keeps going from roofs too.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Don't wish to cause any further anxiety, but if they're intent on theft they may well already have access to a suitable replacement wheel, or be prepared to aquire one from a similar 'van.
We've had a dramatic increase in these trucks coming into our close (sometimes 2 or 3 per day), most of them have a towbar and most have a good look at each house. We have the van on the drive at the moment, most of the time its blocked in with a car but as soon as I hear "Scrap Iron" or a trumpet I go to the window and make it obvious I'm watching them - I also note the time and reg no. We've also had an increase in the amount of lead thefts from schools, churches and even the crematorium as well as garden ornaments being taken overnight - maybe there's no connection but the locals do wonder!
On holiday in France one time we had similar types turn up on the site, I caught one of the men staring into our van and having a good look at our aquaroll & pump - my OH thought I was mad fetching them in before we went to bed but I wasn't convinced that they'd still be there in the morning if we left them outside. Talking to other campers I wasn't the only one to fetch our kit in, especially after the visitors helped themselves to some camping chairs from their neighbours van (left outside while owners were out) - they soon gave the chairs back when the owners returned! You can never be to careful.
no we have had instances of this last week.a white flat bed truck with high sides home made did the very same thing.but these two went a bit further as one was stood on the back looking and drove round three times very slowly.they had washing machines on the back and other bits of iron ect.the caravan is well locked but the guy across the road had all his large garden ornaments taken that night after 12 am.as luck would have it if a strange truck/car comes down here i take his number which i passed on to the police.dont know any more than that.lead keeps going from roofs too.
Don't know whereabouts in Lancs you are but a vehicle like that came round this area about three weeks ago. I was at my mum's house and had just gone out to the van when this vehicle came up the street and the guy asked if I had any old scrap. As it happens I did have an old washing machine I wanted rid of so he and his mate came in to get it - he cast a good look round the room while he was in there but I'm afraid he was out of luck if he was casing the joint. Apart from one chair and a folding table the house is completely empty.
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
I would not argue with anyone taking precautions in this day and age though would point out that in many areas the old 'trade' of collecting scrap metal is back. I remember the vans coming round when I was a child shouting out any old iron and was quite amused to see them round my local estate recently. ( I am only in my 40s) Quite possibly those looking round are chancers after a 'bargain' rather than out and out thieves therefore they are looking for scrap caravans/cars potentially bought off people who have not realised that the value of scrap metal has gone up again. (Whether that too makes them thieves is another topic altogether)
Threads like this whilst helping people to be aware of the need to protect their valuable holiday homes, also run the risk of scaring many readers too.
As with all things common sense and a good security system should be in place first and foremost.
I would also point out that you do not need an Irish type accent to be a thief or be a thief because you have that accent and possibly refering to accents in threads of this nature runs the risk of causing offence even though no doubt that was not intended here!
Absolutely no over reaction whatsoever, in my opinion.
I'd have done exactly as the Op has in this instance, even if it's completely inocent I'd rather have 'plod' know some details just in case.
I get over cautious following a break in some years ago to a relatives; the incident was traced to a neighbour.
Personally I don't publicise when we're away (other than very trusting neighbour who happens to be a PC), nor do I comment on being away on the likes of Facebook etc., or even listing my 'tour dates' on here.
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: Suspicious, or over-reacting?
