Caravan break-ins prompt police warning

Buy photos »

POLICE are investigating after a number of caravans were broken into in the Vale during the weekend.

Five caravan homes in Broadway were targeted in separate parks off Childswickham Road as well as another caravan on sites off School Road in Evesham between Friday (June 29) and Sunday (July 1).

Another similar break-in was also reported in Hanley Swan with all but one of the caravans broken into through a window. It is yet unknown what items have been stolen.

Detective Sergeant David Knight from Worceseter CID, who is investigating the break-ins, urged residents living in caravans to be on their guard.

"It is unusual for us to receive such a high number of reports of mobile homes being broken into over such a short period of time," he said.

"We are still in the process of taking details from the victims in order to establish exactly what has been stolen. So far, we know that some cash has been taken from one of the homes and a lot of damage has been caused to the windows of most of the caravans.

"These are residential mobile homes which are fixed permanently to one site, rather than holiday or touring caravans.

"Usually, these kinds of sites will be managed by a company and may even have their own security. However, it would be unwise to rely solely on this level of protection.

"You should protect your mobile home as you would any other house or property - especially if you go away. In the evenings, unlit homes can be a target for opportunistic criminals, so invest in timer switches and leave a light on when your home is unoccupied to reduce the chances of being targeting by burglars.

"Consider fitting an alarm to your caravan and make sure that any valuables inside are property marked so if the worst does happen, the police are able to return your belongings to you if they are found.

"I would also urge anyone who may have any information about these caravan break-ins, or saw any suspicious activity at the weekend in the areas mentioned, to call us."

Anyone with information should call Det Sgt Knight on 0300 333 3000 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Regional news »