Rather than numbers/codes etc on the roof or tracker devices, a much more satisfying solution may be a mobile phone hidden somewhere in/under the van......
....connected to a trigger and 2-3 Kg of suitably antisocial substances....
Gram
------------- What's the difference between a chicken?
That's a good idea. It is possible to search the web and pay a yearly fee to be able to track the phone's where abouts. Parents can also track their kid's where abouts too using this system (as long as they don't switch the phone off). Have used this in the past.
Having spoken with the police on several occasions over this case, one thing comes across.... "if they want it they'll get it"..... which I suppose we knew really. Every method of deterring/preventing a theft has its flaws - our heavy duty wheel clamp was bent and removed, same with the hitchlock and towball lock. Hidden behind locked gates and CCTV cameras - bypassed because they came across fields (and I've heard where ditches are crossed too). Removing tyres - they bring their own. In our case I strongly believe these people had this all planned and had visited the site previously - they came prepared and probably didn't take long to do what they did.
We are still waiting for Scene of Crimes Officers to check the van, so we still haven't seen it, but when we do get it back we have some decisions to make.
How much do we want to spend protecting our van - would a cheaper wheel clamp take that much less getting off - they'll get it off no matter how expensive.
Where should we now store it? The advice from the Police is not to take it back where it was stolen from. It might seem obvious, but the policeman said they are known to go back and cause damage to the van simply because they didn't get it and they don't want the owner to have the satisfaction of getting it back. Just malicious damage - for the sake of it.
He agreed that vans are sometimes left in case a tracker is fitted, and if no-one comes to recover it, the thieves later return to complete the theft. His advice was if you really value your van and can afford it, the tracker method is by far the best way of recovering a van and perhaps before it gets damaged and contents stolen.
Anyway, I'll finish with a word of caution...... maybe we were too confident that our storage site was too well hidden and with cameras and locked gates, and therefore we had perhaps become complacent. With hindsight, whilst we probably couldn't have done a lot more to prevent its theft, we could have reduced the value of the contents by storing more at home. We had one thing of sentimental value in it and may not get it back - if only I'd removed it. PLEASE consider how you would feel if it were your van stolen tonight, don't live with regret - do what you can, as soon as you can, to protect your van and contents (and your home and vehicles too for that matter!). Whilst it is 'only a van' it has caused a lot of upset and hassle and, unless we're very lucky and forensics lead us to the thieves, I doubt anyone will be caught and charged with this crime and then suitably punished.
They have yet to take a caravan with jsb hulocks fitted, but they are inconvenient to use. Its not impossible to stop them but inconvenient and it is easier to get good insurance.
Rather than numbers/codes etc on the roof or tracker devices, a much more satisfying solution may be a mobile phone hidden somewhere in/under the van......
Quote: Originally posted by snowyowl on 23/9/2011
Would it work if the phone was flat? Do you need to keep it switched on?
You would need to keep the hidden phone switched on & plugged into a 12v charger connected to the leisure battery. The leisure battery would obviously need recharging occasionally unless 'van was kept plugged into ehu.
Depending on where the phone was hidden the signal could be restricted by the metal body of the caravan. It is security on the cheap really but it should work provided there was sufficient phone signal where the stolen 'van was parked.
It is pointless trying to hide a caravan. The only way I would consider these days is a secure compound with a man on the gate night and day.
Our storage people know us well, but we can't get the caravan out of the gate until we have had our photo checked and signed for it.
Storage at home or in an unattended compound is asking for trouble. Of course it shouldn't be this way, but sadly it is.
Jim
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: Another one stolen
