Five ‘stolen’ caravans seized and three arrests made in police crackdown across Kent

Five suspected stolen caravans have been recovered and three people arrested during a police crackdown. The first came after officers stopped a vehicle near Minster, Thanet, on June 20, and detained a 26-year-old man from Sittingbourne.

Officers carried out a week-long clampdown into suspected stolen caravans. Picture: Kent Police

The caravan being towed was seized after enquiries established it had been reported stolen in Macclesfield, Cheshire, in 2021. The man was arrested on suspicion of theft and handling stolen goods.

Later that day, officers attended an unauthorised encampment in Faversham and a second tourer was recovered, having been reported stolen in Sevenoaks in the same year. A third camper was seized from Gravesend on Wednesday after checks concluded it was stolen from south Wales, also in 2021. Sgt Ross Haybourne from Kent Police's Rural Task Force said: 'We carry out regular and frequent operations to disrupt the theft of stolen plant and agricultural machinery, as well as leisure vehicles including caravans.

One of the five caravans recovered by officers. Picture: Kent Police

"Our officers have undertaken training to enable us to identify suspected stolen caravans resulting in a number of seizures and arrests.

"While the investigations into the seized caravans continue, I would like to remind owners of steps that can be taken to safeguard their property.

"This can include registration with an approved identification scheme, installing a tracking system and fitting anti-theft devices to deter would-be culprits." Meanwhile, officers also arrested a 35-year-old man from Chatham and a 28-year-old woman from Snodland on Thursday following a reported caravan theft in Leysdown in June. A trailer located in Medway was also seized in connection with the investigation.

Several caravans have been seized across the county. Picture: Kent Police

Officers then seized a further caravan after being alerted to it being towed irregularly[1] on the M2 near Faversham on Friday.

Police say subscribing to an approved caravan and motorhome registration and identification scheme can help with recovering them.

This is alongside installing an alarm, tracking device and having theft-resistant number plate fittings.

References

1. ^ being towed irregularly (www.kentonline.co.uk)