How can we keep thieves out of caravan parks?
The Christmas/New Year holiday period is a busy time for Australia’s caravan parks and camping grounds … and, it seems, for the thieves who target them.
Careless campers who leave everything from cycles, fridges and fishing rods to campchairs, cutlery and computers out in plain view, are commonly left counting the cost at this time of the year.
It seems the prospect of picking up easy booty is too much of a temptation for opportunist criminals, as well as those who may deliberately scope out ‘soft targets’.
While grey nomads need to be security conscious at all times of the year, they need to be doubly so at holiday times. Campground theft is an issue in all parts of the country and, at this time of the year, the more crowded destinations can be particularly vulnerable.
For example, the caravan parks in Narooma in New South Wales are likely to remain absolutely packed until at least the January 26 Australia Day long weekend. While the huge tourist influx has been great news for local businesses, it has also had an unwanted side effect.
Police report a surge in thefts from campgrounds with items stolen including bikes, camping fridges and even an iPhone that was left unattended for a few minutes in a camping chair drink holder.
We had our Esky emptied in an Exmouth CP a couple of years ago even though it was under the awning, under a table with chairs resting against it! (Must have slept well). Now, with our Engel fridge, I have a length of chain I put through the handles and over the lid, secured with a motorcycle motion activated alarm lock I found on ebay. I only ever arm it if we are in a place where we feel it might be necessary – not often thasnkfully. It sure gives out a very audible shrieking alarm if moved again after the first loud beep when it is initially touched. Other than that, we always secure tempting things around the camp overnight. We’ve had friends loose lots of gear. Fishing rods etc. all taken from inside the annex. Be careful, not sorry!
One of the reasons we didn’t stay at the caravan park in ceduna was because it looked like a gaol although it meant we were stranded out of town with a broken down car.
We stayed in that caravan park in September and found it was great. Interesting to watch the park fill up by about 10am with all the people who had just crossed from WA. Felt safe and secure there and in town? Stayed for 5 nights. We use a large bicycle chain to secure our gear and have never had a problem other than misplacing the key.
Friends had outdoor table and chairs stolen from van so we now have bicycle cable locks with common key which secure our table and chairs to the caravan axle spring everything else is either inside van or in tug at night with front boot always locked.
We have not been a victim of theft. We have a long small size link chain that we wind in and through all the major outdoor items and then through the van wheel.
So it seems to work and cost was a few $$$ for chain & Lock.
We can then sleep peacefully at night.
Jay&Dee