These vehicle are, therefore, particularly desirable to thieves presently. If you or a neighbour, friend or relative have a camper van, please take all steps to prevent its theft. If an alarm or an immobiliser is fitted - please use it. If it is possible to park it out of sight of the road, please do so. If the vehicle can be blocked in to make it less accessible then this may protect it to some extent.

A local case recently involved the offender forcing his way into a camper van and jammimg a key into the ignition. He then called a recovery company who came in good faith to remove the vehicle which he claimed had broken down. Fortunately, the owners of the vehicle returned home at the time when the recovery vehicle was loading their camper van and were able to prevent the theft.

The second part of this message relates to the theft of scrap metal. Owing to demand from abroad, the cost of scrap metal - particularly aluminium and copper - has recently increased significantly. There have been at least three cases of theft of scrap metal from people's driveways or gardens in the area in the last week. A Ford Transit van or similar was seen at one of these. Please secure such metal and notify the police of any suspicious activity.