CRIME reduction officer Steve Kirby fell victim to thieves trying to steal his caravan and is now urging others to heed police advice to be vigilant.

PC Kirby, based in High Wycombe, gives out advice to residents on reducing the risk of crime and is urging people to make sure their caravans are secure after he nearly became a victim himself.

The officer, who frequently uses the caravan for holidays, said the thieves struck at his High Wycombe home on April 2.

He added: "My wife arrived home to find a vehicle on the drive and two men were removing the hitchlock, which prevents the caravan from being towed, on the caravan and were tampering with the wheel clamp.

"They were disturbed by my wife and sped out of the drive taking half of my fence with them."

He said he has now got top-security on the 18-foot Abbey caravan, by removing two of the wheels and putting on lockable wheel supports and two wheel clamps and getting the windows etched with his postcode, making it virtually impossible to steal.

He advised others to follow similar advice and added that putting a heavy duty chain around the corner sturdy of the caravan and putting that into a flower pot filled with concrete also prevents thieves from being able to move it easily.

The Caravan Club also offers good advice on caravan security raging from the use of hitch locks, wheel clamps, alarms and tracking devices.

Worried caravan owners can also contact their crime reduction officer who can give advice on window etching.

PC Steve Kirby can be contacted on 01494 686111