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On a recent camping trip we woke to find that several of our fellow campers had been robbed. Neat holes had been cut in their tents so thieves could reach in. Lost items included bags, wallets, car keys, etc. The thieves even cut multiple holes in each tent to try and find something while the occupants slept.
Although we have to keep risk in perspective and realise that this stuff is rare, crime can never be ignored, no matter how perfect the setting.
We don’t want to spoil anyone’s holiday through worry, but it would make sense to take a few simple precautions. We put our heads together and came up with:
* Select your pitch carefully. Stay away from the edges of the site where outsiders can gain access. Be especially careful of riverbanks. We have heard of thieves wading across at night.
* Never leave anything of value in an awning. Even decent camping chairs have been a popular target!
* If you have a decent rucksack, think about getting a rucksack lock.
* Chain your bicycle well. Bike theft is a real favourite.
* Never have anything of value in your tent when it could be locked out of sight in the car.
* Do not leave your car keys within reach of someone slicing open your tent in the night. Put them under your pillow or in a money belt!
* Do not leave your car unattended whilst registering on arrival (seriously, we met people who got a brick through their car window in rural France while they were yards away in the office).
And perhaps an off-the-wall idea to further deter thieves.
Get a large dog bowl and leave it in the open right outside your tent. Add a lead and a ground anchor to really get the message across.
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Source by Martin France
