Reducing caravan theft

Some 4,000 touring caravans are stolen each year, nearly a quarter of all new caravans sold annually. The Caravan Registration and Identification Scheme (CRiS) currently holds details of over 10,000 outstanding caravan theft reports. Few as one in four of these caravans are ever recovered.

There are around a half a million touring caravans throughout the UK , some of which are over 30 years old. There are around 60 manufacturers of caravans throughout Europe, over 20 of which are based in the UK . Between them they produce nearly 600 different models each year, so identifying the make and model of a caravan can be difficult.

What is CRiS?

CRiS, Caravan Registration and Identification Scheme, is the national register of UK-manufactured touring caravans. All new UK-made caravans since August 1992 are allocated a 17-digit identity number, similar to that found on motor vehicles and recorded by the DVLA. The CRiS number and the caravan description are recorded on a Touring Caravan Registration Document, similar to a vehicle registration document, that includes information about the caravan and its keeper. It also includes a tear-off strip to notify CRiS of any change in circumstances.

The CRiS scheme holds all the information known about a caravan including the last registered keeper and whether it has been stolen or written off.

Why be suspicious?

Common signs of damage and tampering include:

•  locker locks are changed or tape used to keep them closed

•  the CRiS number on the windows been interfered with

•  clever thieves have been known to remove or alter the CRiS number with a hot pin and blue paint

•  lone drivers

•  most caravanner's tend to be older couples or families in saloon cars

•  whether the towing vehicle equates to the perceived value of the caravan being towed

•  the vehicle's occupant without the caravan keys

Look at the door, door frame and locks for damage. If the caravan is suspect then it can be checked by contacting:

CRiS phone line: 01722 411 430

Equipped to steal

It is often very basic equipment that is used to steal caravans and will normally include implements to remove most types of wheel clamps and hitch locks by force.  Many appliances from crow bars to screwdrivers are used to access the inside. To remove a caravan secured by a hitch lock thieves often use a metal 'drop box' or heavy duty ratchet straps attached to another towing hitch.

Information required when a caravan is reported stolen

•  Date, time, venue of offence

•  Name and address of owner

•  Caravan make (eg Avondale)

•  Model (eg Land Ranger)

•  Exact model variant (eg 6400L)

•  Is caravan a UK or European model / Single- or twin-axle

•  Is caravan CRiS registered

•  Do they have the CRiS registration document

•  VIN/chassis / CRiS identification number, for post-1992 UK-built caravans this will be 17 digits, pre-1992 may be less

•  How was caravan secured (eg wheel clamp, hitch lock, alarm fitted)

•  Description of caravan contents (eg colour, model, value) with identifiable features (scratches, dents)

•  Insurance details

•  Complete crime report ensuring caravan is circulated on Police National Computer (PNC)

•  Advise owner to inform insurance company and CRiS database if applicable as soon as possible

Caravan identification

•  How old? Try to gauge an approximate date of manufacture. Design? Component dating?

•  Is the towing vehicle and occupants consistent with the caravan?

•  UK- or European-built - which side does the door open? Single- or twin-axle?

•  If UK-built (after 1992) look for a 17-digit dot matrix etched number on windows.

•  CRiS sticker?

•  Examine chassis and A-frame for a stamped identification number. This should match above.

•  Look at all numbers carefully for signs of interference.

•  Request PNC caravan (trailer) check on property file.

•  Consider CRiS database search, tel: 01722 411430.

•  Use your powers - seize and recover caravan as per local arrangements/ instructions.

•  If applicable request a CRiS electronic tag reader from CRiS database. If possible do not use in presence of suspect or onlookers.

•  Consider an expert examination by your Force vehicle examiners (Stolen Vehicle/ Traffic Units).

•  Consider Vehicle Online Descriptive search (VODs) on PNC and F150 search.