Caravan owners are being urged to be extra vigilant and not to give villains an easy ride after a spate of thefts.

Wickford police Sgt Jason Bachelor issued the warning following the most recent incident between Thursday evening and Friday morning in Crouch Drive, Wickford.

He said: "Police in the Billericay and Wickford area are appealing to owners to be extra vigilant following a series of thefts of caravans from the area.

"Owners should ensure their caravans are left secure and, if possible, disabled or have a security device fitted to them in an effort to stop the thieves."

Christine Chapman, who has run the Caravan Watch Scheme since 1995 and currently has 750 members across Essex, also encouraged people to check regularly on their caravans, which are worth around £15,000.

Anyone with information about stolen caravans should contact Wickford police on 01268 561312.

To find out more about the Caravan Watch Scheme contact Mrs Chapman on 01268 532212.

Published Monday January 12, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Echo