Beware Of Stolen Caravans

Police have issued a warning to buyers of imported caravans that there is an increased number being stolen and re-sold to unsuspecting buyers.

Thieves are stealing the vans abroad and flooding the UK with them, they then destroy the VIN number, import them and sell them on. These can go undetected for a long time by which time the thieves are long gone. The demand for the luxury European makes is intensifying and thus giving these thieves reason to steal these vans.

The Association of Chief Police Officers Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (AVCIS) are working with the European manufactures and National Caravan Council (NCC) to ensure clearer documentation is issued and identification marks and tags are issued to give buyers faith that they are not handling stolen goods.

Our advice is:

Caravans that are being sold legitimately should have be CRIS registered (etched on the windows and chassis). CRIS can be contacted on 01722 411430 or their website http://www.hpicheck.com/caravans.html.

Beware deals that are too good to be true, as they usually are!

Find the Vin number, which is normally stamped on the chassis rail. If you suspect this has been tampered with, walk away!

Who is selling this van to you, seek assurances like proof of their address and proof they own the van.

Ask for the registration documents as unlike UK vans, European caravans are logged as trailers and have a log book.

Ask for photo evidence of the seller using the van.

Thanks