After spending time and money on finding and buying your caravan, you need to do all you can to deter would be thieves from making your caravan their next target.

Remember your caravan can be a target anywhere. This could be at home / in storage, on site or even at a service station en route to your holiday destination.

One simple step to keep your caravan secure is to make sure that you always lock your caravan, even if you only go and fill up the water, if there is no one in it then lock it up!!

2 key pieces of equipment in securing your caravan while on a site are a good quality hitch lock and a good quality wheel lock. Not only is it important to have these items, but to use them.They are not going to work very well from the boot of your car. Although these items are not a guarantee, they will act as a deterrent to thieves as they are an obstacle when it comes to a quick and easy get away. With this in mind the more brightly coloured and visible they are the better!! The wheel clamp shown is £33.99 from the world of camping website. The hitch lock is a bulldog mini lock available from world of camping for £59.59.

Many caravan insurance companies insist on 2 security devices before they offer cover for the caravan. Others offer discounts where 2 or more devices are used. To find out more visit the Club care insurance site, where they have details on different cover for caravans, motor homes, trailer tents, tents and much more.

Locks are available for corner legs so that when they have been wound down they can't be taken back up without unlocking them. This will obviously make moving the caravan more difficult.

When leaving your caravan for long periods of time, either at you home or in storage, remove valuable items and leave cupboards open. This not only makes it clear that there is nothing in them but it allows air to circulate around the caravan, which reduces dampness in these areas.

Make sure all windows are correctly secured and doors and locker doors are locked.

Fit an alarm system. This is effective only as a deterrent, but could alert you and others nearby to someone who has entered your caravan. A simple shed alarm could be used for this purpose and will run from batteries.

When on site and going out at night, shut the blinds or curtains and leave a light on. This will act as a deterrent as it will be difficult to see if there is someone in.