Operation Breakaway
Written by author on May 27, 2011
Police in Dumfries and Galloway have celebrated the success of a recent operation which focused on caravan crime and safety.
Operation Breakaway 3 took place during the lead up to the busy Easter weekend, during the operation police managed to recover two stolen caravans worth nearly £20,000.
The initiative involved officers from the Roads Policng Unit, Ports Unit and colleagues from ACPO Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service, which included a Leisure Vehicle representative.
Officers took part in high-visibility checks in the ports at Stranraer and Cairnryan, as well as on the busy A75.
Officers and their colleagues from Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Service visited caravan parks in the area issuing crime prevention, personal safety and fire advice to members of the public.
Temporary Sergeant Clark Logie said: “Although two stolen carvans were recovered, our aim during the initiative was to forge closer links with the sites and also provide security advice to caravaners to help prevent them from becoming the victim of caravan theft.”
“A large number of touring style caravans are stolen in the UK each year, with many being sold on to unsuspecting members of the public, or being placed by the thieves on a semi permanent basis in caravan sites around the country in an effort to avoid detection. The recent initiative highlighted this, with both recovered caravans having been stolen from outwith the Dumfries and Galloway area.”
He added: “While Dumfries and Galloway is one of the safest places in the United Kingdom to holiday or stay in, we would be naive not to acknowledge the potential for criminals to try and exploit our largely rural area and the large number of caravan parks we have.
“From a community policing point of view, the feedback and co-operation we received from the caravanning public and site operators was exceptional.”
Anyone looking for specific advice regarding caravan security or security advice in genreal is invited to contact their local crime reduction officer on 0845 6005701.
