Your caravan can feel like a safe-haven.  Whether it’s from the elements, from the pressures of the world, or just from a traffic jam, there can often be a strong feeling of comfort and calm when you’re in your caravan.

However, such a trait can make security considerations an easy matter to overlook.  Without wanting to cause upset, it is always worth remembering that around 3000 caravans are stolen in the UK every year; a number which looks set to increase as domestic holidays become more popular in the UK.  As safe as your caravan might feel to you, it is important to make sure that it isn’t easy for anybody else to gain access to.

Thankfully, securing your caravan does need have to be difficult.  In fact, a few of the most important tasks are extremely simple indeed.  So what do you need do to keep your vehicle safe?

- If your caravan is stolen, well kept records are an invaluable resource for police detectives.  Rather than keeping all vital paperwork in the caravan itself, keep some originals or copies in a safe location at home.  Importantly, make a note of your caravan’s chassis number which can act as an infallible identifier of stolen caravans.

- In addition to keeping good records of existing identification markers, consider adding your own.  Use ultra-violet pen to scribe unique identification codes, or perhaps a postcode, on to various parts of your caravan.  Ideal locations are the undercarriage, or perhaps a difficult to reach surface on an indoor fixture.  Wherever you choose, go for somewhere memorable but difficult for intruders to notice and erase.

- Considering police tactics, it can also be identify your caravan on its roof.  This will provide fantastic assistance for any aerial pursuit.

- Photograph your caravan inside and out.  Many owners remember to do this when they first purchase the vehicle, however it is strongly advisable to repeat the exercise regularly so that up to date photographs can be presented if necessary.

- Whether you are storing your caravan at home, at a site or elsewhere, high security wheel clamps can prevent many forms of attack, and also act as a strong deterrent.  Make sure the one you purchase fits your caravan.  For even higher security, lock two wheels with different brands of lock to wrongfoot determined thieves.

- Alternatively, rather than clamping your wheels, you could remove them altogether.  Security providers may be able to supply you with wheel stands which replace your wheels, effectively making it impossible to drive your caravan away.

- Finally, if you fancy a more high tech solution, working on the same technological principles as your Sat Nav, vehicle tracking systems can be subtly installed in your caravan.  Although this technology will not protect your caravan from criminal interest, it would make a clean getaway nigh on impossible, and your possessions simple to track.  Of course, such assurance comes at a high price.

Keeping your possessions safe is always important, both for financial and for sentimental reasons.  Your caravan, however, is particularly important, acting – as it does – as a second home for you and your family.   In consideration of this, make sure that you spend some time securing your vehicle in the means that best works for you.  However, no matter how secure you manage to make your caravan, there is always a risk remaining.  It is always therefore advisable to take out Caravan Insurance should the worst occur.