Advice issued following caravan thefts in Newcastle-under-Lyme

Officers are calling on caravan owners to ensure their property is secured properly after a number of thefts across Staffordshire.

Officers from the Newcastle-under-Lyme Neighbourhood Policing Team are looking into the thefts – with five of the county’s 14 offences since mid-April taking place within the borough.

The thefts tend to target farm storage facilities or caravan sites on the Staffordshire/Cheshire border with offenders gaining access to properties by cutting padlocks on gates or removing sections of fencing.

It’s suspected that caravan trackers are compromised or otherwise removed, should the caravan have one, before they’re towed away by 4x4 type vehicles.

A 23-year-old man from Middlesex was detained by colleagues from the Central Motorway Police Group on Friday 21 May in connection with the thefts. He has since been released under investigation with enquiries ongoing.

Sergeant Kramer Caldwell from Newcastle Neighbourhood Policing Unit said: “Although good progress is being made with our investigation we would urge all caravan owners to be aware that these offences have taken place and remain vigilant in respect of caravan security.

“We encourage caravan owners to ensure their property is fully registered and that they have considered additional physical security such as wheel or hitch locks as well as security markings. The use of CCTV and security lighting may also help deter this type of crime.”

Anyone with any information should message Staffordshire Police on Facebook or Twitter quoting incident number 793 of 21 May, call 101 or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.