Robbed on an Aire in France (2 Viewers)

[JJ]

I leave my 12 volt vacuum cleaner (£4.99 with £10 of petrol) plugged in and placed by the door, just next to the rubbish bag.

Then if someone does break in, they have the option of cleaning the interior a bit before searching for valuables and, if not too disappointed at finding nothing, they might take away the bin bag on their way out...


JJ

 

[drivingontheroadto]

In August 2017 in the A75 motorway Aire de la Lozere in an area set aside for motorhomes, something similar happened to us. I have stayed in the very same spot about 20 times over the years and it has the feeling of a campsite. Perhaps its that familiarity that meant I let my guard down, I don't know.

We arrived at about 9pm on a nice summers evening, parked next to another English motorhome and were joined by two of those Polish registered soft-side vans with the over-cab that are everywhere in Europe. The two commercial vans left after an hour or so and we set to bed. When we awoke in the morning the wardrobe open, as I got up to close it. I noticed our phones missing, they had been sitting next to our heads and the bed, moving towards the front of the van things were dawning on me as noticed the cab curtain undone and my credit cards and wallet strewn around the cab. It was a horrible feeling shouted out loud, we've been robbed. Worse was the worry as my panicked wife was calling out to out to our then 8 year old, who was in the above the cab and not answering. Fortunately, he did then answer, and at that point, nothing else mattered because he was OK.

A quick look around the van, all that had gone was the cash from the wallet (about 200 euro and the phones). Travel documents, passports, credit cards all rifled through but not taken.

How did they get in?
When we awoke and discovered the robbery we also found the cab door was undone, no damage, but drivers door was ajar and unlocked. Did I lock the doors that night? Both my wife and I remember having a conversation, her asking me if I locked the doors and me pressing the button on the key and answering yes. But I can remember thinking that I didn't hear the central locking click as I pressed the button, but assumed that was because the doors were already locked. The French Police think we were key jammed and they then came back to rib us after.

Were we gassed?
I don't think so. Motorhomes are full of ventilation and are big space to fill with enough gas to knock out two adults and a child. Also, if these supposed gassings were actual gassings I that we I think we would hear about a lot of dead people where the amateur anesthetists got things wrong. We have both talked about it and the French police did ask us if we felt like OK and if we felt we had been gassed.

If we weren't gassed, what did happen?
We were robbed by some people who knew where to look and knew what they were doing and were willing to take the risk. They opened a wardrobe door that is noisy and held in place with a magnet but without waking us. They knew how to open it quietly, perhaps by sliding a piece of cardboard between the magnet and the door. They knew where the phones would be plugged in, that being the convinient charge point next to the TV and bed. They knew how to move about the van quietly without waking us and no doubt knew how to hide in the shadows if we woke and I suspect if we had awoken they would have been willing to point a knife at us.

What have we learnt from the experience.

1. Even if a motorway aire looks like it is set-up for motorhome overnight use, don't stay there. Move off the motorway and stay elsewhere.
2. Fit a habitation alarm
3. Fit a security lock on hab door
4. Fit window alarms
5. Put the seatbelts through the door handles when parking in aires.
6. Don't rely on just pressing the button on the key, double check doors are locked with a physical check
7. Sleep on top of anything of value, cash, wallets, cards, passports. If you are sleeping on top of it they have to move you to get it.
8. Keep a physical list of every credit and debit card you are carrying and the phone numbers of issuing banks
9. Reporting a crime to the French Police takes a half day
10. French Police make one hell of a mess fingerprinting your van

Final learning is that we love using our van and an experience like this wont stop us. We have been burgled in our own house while sleeping so being robbed in the motorhome is just the same but this time they could steal the vehicle because we were in it. Most people in the world are good, like those that helped us when were were robbed, the English couple next door who lent me their phone. I must have looked quite a site as I stood in the foyer of a large motorways service station shouting "can anyone help me, I don't speak French and I have been robbed" and I am eternally grateful to the kindness of one ma who tried to help me out.

Its horrible being robbed but it can happen anywhere. Learn form the experience and up your security but mostly don't let the experience put you off using your van.

Good luck
Mark

 

[Fishman]

I couldn't help noticing the posters name "Nikkijt"
Methinks this is a scam post. Nick it indeed. LOL

 

[ianandkath]

we stay on motorway service areas when travelling to our place in spain.
never had any trouble or heard of any when there.
i park in the lorry park, due to our size.
also can go and get a coffee whenever i like, and take the dog for a walk.
only problem we have had ,are some fridge lorries with there gennys running.

 

[Puddleduck]

What have we learnt from the experience.

1. Even if a motorway aire looks like it is set-up for motorhome overnight use, don't stay there. Move off the motorway and stay elsewhere.
2. Fit a habitation alarm
3. Fit a security lock on hab door
4. Fit window alarms
5. Put the seatbelts through the door handles when parking in aires.
6. Don't rely on just pressing the button on the key, double check doors are locked with a physical check
7. Sleep on top of anything of value, cash, wallets, cards, passports. If you are sleeping on top of it they have to move you to get it.
8. Keep a physical list of every credit and debit card you are carrying and the phone numbers of issuing banks
9. Reporting a crime to the French Police takes a half day
10. French Police make one hell of a mess fingerprinting your van

Excellent advice and I am pleased none of you were harmed.

We leave physical and digital records of all documents, credit cards etc with someone at home including the emergency numbers to report theft - as well as having them with us in a hidey hole.

We don't leave all our money in one place (or even two places) and our phones are so ancient that anyone wanting them would have to sell to a museum.

Our van has lockers along the rear wall above the bed - we keep clothes and spare seat cushions in there. If we were to keep valuables up there (which we don't) any thief would have to climb over him (negotiating the medical equipment in an open drawer which blocks the step) and then kneel between us before pulling stuff out which would land on me It's a lot of work for my glasses and an old e-reader unless the thief is into old clothes. You never know.

There are lots of hidey holes in motorhomes if you look hard enough and think out of the box a bit.

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[popotla]

I wonder why they only joined the forum today to air a story from the 22nd Dec? Id have thought if you were new to Motorhoming you'd join the forum (and pay) and get some advise before travelling.

I'm sceptical.

May I ask what you're sceptical about, Simon?

 

[DBK]

Thirteen pages and still going!
And the OP didn't even claim they had been gassed.

 

[Langtoftlad]

What you describe are the symptoms of overdosing.

 

[Langtoftlad]

12 volt vacuum cleaner (£4.99 with £10 of petrol) plugged in

Why does you vacuum cleaner need petrol ?

 

[Dear Ducato]

I'm not masquerading as PJ, but I don't know how to change it to mine! Anyway, with regard to the break-in mentioned above, this has been going on for years, not only with MH and caravans, but trucks as well, Especially rife around Marseilles, so I have been told, usually Romanian gangs that spray gas through open air vent or anywhere to 'knock-out' the occupants before breaking into the van. Fortunately, there has been no deaths recorded to my knowledge of such attacks, just a load of sore, hang-over headaches. As all have mentioned before, don't spend the night on a service station use official aires or even a proper camp-site. (ACIS card is excellent for these!). If I park alone or anywhere, I have a metal bar that slots into brackets on the pedestrian door, top and bottom, a rachet strap through the front door arms, so that even if the locks are forced, the doors will not open without a lot of noise-and destruction! OTT? Maybe, but with no alarm fitted, it is a good way of securing a night's sleep and easy to do. Visible as a deterrent also. ' 94 Hymer 564 on a Ducato.

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[Lawrencep]

Your experience must have been most upsetting and no doubt will take a while to get over. Rotten luck. I'm not posting this from any position of smugness, please believe me and I know one can never be 100% safe but we never sleep without setting our alarm (a Van Bitz Growler with fcuk off police-blue lights flashing) and a gas alarm switched on. We understand the gas alarm is sensitive to the dodgy gases the crooks use but TBH, I don't know how fast acting the gas is and perhaps the alarm would not help. When staying at caravan parks, we don't use the alarm (as the blue lights can be a little anti-social) and rely on our dogs to do their bit but the gas alarm is deployed at night regardless, for obvious safety reasons. Having said that, there is no substitute for being extra cautious about where one stops, or accepting the additional risk if you don't.

 

[iandsm]

Your experience must have been most upsetting and no doubt will take a while to get over. Rotten luck. I'm not posting this from any position of smugness, please believe me and I know one can never be 100% safe but we never sleep without setting our alarm (a Van Bitz Growler with fcuk off police-blue lights flashing) and a gas alarm switched on. We understand the gas alarm is sensitive to the dodgy gases the crooks use but TBH, I don't know how fast acting the gas is and perhaps the alarm would not help. When staying at caravan parks, we don't use the alarm (as the blue lights can be a little anti-social) and rely on our dogs to do their bit but the gas alarm is deployed at night regardless, for obvious safety reasons. Having said that, there is no substitute for being extra cautious about where one stops, or accepting the additional risk if you don't.

Gas attaches do not happen, it's a myth. Possibly encouraged by people selling gas attack alarms, for example Milenco who sell accessories for motorhomes did sell window alarms and specifically claims they protect against gas attacks, I don't know if they still do but they should not fly in the face of all the evidence just to sell a product. Having said that the alarms are quite good.

 

[Figaro]

Why does you vacuum cleaner need petrol

I think thats what it cost, came cheap with a petrol purchase

 

[Langtoftlad]

I think thats what it cost, came cheap with a petrol purchase

Whoosh

 

[Basildog]

Now we’re cooking with Gas
It’s been a slow start but I knew the hardened Gas attack supporters would get on board eventually I

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[eddie]

I'm not masquerading as PJ, but I don't know how to change it to mine! Anyway, with regard to the break-in mentioned above, this has been going on for years, not only with MH and caravans, but trucks as well, Especially rife around Marseilles, so I have been told, usually Romanian gangs that spray gas through open air vent or anywhere to 'knock-out' the occupants before breaking into the van.

Years ago I was talking to victims of a crime and they were convinced that they had been gassed.

The bloke was about 25 stone and the woman was tiny, and when I pointed out the facts about gassing they wouldn't have it. When I asked how they got the gas "in" the van they said the fridge vent. When I pointed out that the fridge would have been on gas so the pilot light would have ignited the gas, and that the outside of the fridge is sealed from the inside, they switched to air vents. When I pointed out that their van didn't have a ladder so that was improbable they switched tracks and told me that "Their mate said that they drill little holes in the side of the van and spray the gas in there" They were nodding their heads at each other as they imparted this killer piece of evidence. "And do you have any little holes drilled in the side of you nice new motorhome?" I asked?

"No!" But it happened. At this stage I gave up and added the requested Gas detector to their order

Fortunately, there has been no deaths recorded to my knowledge of such attacks,

Remarkable isn't it? Bordering on improbable, given how many people die in operating theatres due to anesthetic

As all have mentioned before, don't spend the night on a service station

"All"? I think you meant to say "Some have mentioned" I have stayed on services all over Europe and thoroughly recommend it to any one travelling, and did post this a few pages back, as did others, but I would say, never stay anywhere be it a site, a service station or an aire where you don't feel comfortable

 

[Minxy]

When staying at caravan parks, we don't use the alarm (as the blue lights can be a little anti-social)

Check your insurance policy, if you told them you have an alarm they will expect you to use it all the time, otherwise no cover for theft.

 

[Minxy]

I have stayed on services all over Europe and thoroughly recommend it to any one travelling, and did post this a few pages back, as did others, but I would say, never stay anywhere be it a site, a service station or an aire where you don't feel comfortable

... but the thieves would need grappling hooks and breathing apparatus for the altitude to get into your MH!

 

[eddie]

Check your insurance policy, if you told them you have an alarm they will expect you to use it all the time, otherwise no cover for theft.

This is often quoted but I am not aware of any insurance policy that stipulates this

 

[Minxy]

This is often quoted but I am not aware of any insurance policy that stipulates this

They give a discount for alarms being fitted ergo it seems logical that they would expect it to be used to mitigate risk ... I'll have to dig mine out and check the wording.

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[Minxy]

They give a discount for alarms being fitted ergo it seems logical that they would expect it to be used to mitigate risk ... I'll have to dig mine out and check the wording.

Right, just had a read of my Safeguard policy which states:

7. Security and Tracking devices
If we have accepted your insurance or reduce your premium
on the basis that your motorhome is fitted with either a security
or tracking device, then the device must be fully operational at
all times when your motorhome is parked and left unoccupied.
Security may be a mandatory feature of your Safeguard
Motorhome Insurance Policy, depending on the value of your
vehicle and or any additional underwriting terms due to adverse
claims experience. These details will be made clear to you when
you take out your Safeguard Motorhome Insurance Policy and
make any changes at renewal.
Failure to comply with this condition may mean we will refuse to
deal with any claim arising from your motorhome being lost or
stolen.
​

So, with Safeguard if you are asleep in the MH then it is not unoccupied so okay, BUT if you go out, say to a site's clubhouse etc, or our for a walk etc during the day, and leave the MH without setting the alarm you would NOT be covered. As I said, check the policy wording and regardless of how 'annoying' the light is (it can always be covered), IMV always set the alarm, otherwise what's the point in having it?

 

[nicholsong]

Right, just had a read of my Safeguard policy which states:

Failure to comply with this condition may mean we will refuse to
deal with any claim arising from your motorhome being lost or
stolen.

The 'lost' bit amused me.

Has anyone lost a MH?
​

 

[nicholsong]

deal with any claim arising from your motorhome being lost or
stolen.
​

'Lost amused me.

Anyone 'lost' a MH?

 

[hilldweller]

'Lost amused me.

Anyone 'lost' a MH?

Happens all the time at FUN meets. Middle of the night, droves of them stumbling around looking for them.

 

[kennyb]

This does happen, we were camping in a tent at a place called Horjul, Slovakia in 2014, went to bed woke up in the morning, had a great sleep but had a pounding headache same as my wife, found our tent open and all our money gone but my wallet and credit cards left. We contacted the police who said it was happening all the time in the area and they blamed a specific group of people, didnt bother us just made us more aware. Back into motorhoming now and lock everything inside at night and not had any problems

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[eddie]

Check your insurance policy, if you told them you have an alarm they will expect you to use it all the time, otherwise no cover for theft.

This is often quoted but I am not aware of any insurance policy that stipulates this

I stand corrected

always set the alarm, otherwise what's the point in having it?

I do agree which is why I have never burrowed down into the small print with the insurers.

 

[Puddleduck]

This does happen, we were camping in a tent at a place called Horjul, Slovakia in 2014, went to bed woke up in the morning, had a great sleep but had a pounding headache same as my wife, found our tent open and all our money gone but my wallet and credit cards left. We contacted the police who said it was happening all the time in the area and they blamed a specific group of people, didnt bother us just made us more aware. Back into motorhoming now and lock everything inside at night and not had any problems

If that happened to us I would not wake up again. Funny no deaths reported as many people have the same lung issue I do.

 

[Basildog]

If that happened to us I would not wake up again. Funny no deaths reported as many people have the same lung issue I do.

It’s a gang of highly trained anaesthetists with specialist equipment that have gone rogue
Fancy you not knowing that you silly boy or Girl

 

[Puddleduck]

It’s a gang of highly trained anaesthetists with specialist equipment that have gone rogue
Fancy you not knowing that you silly boy

Or girl

I'd be busy dragging the clouds away from the Funster Rallies anyway if it did happen to me.