Street Scams and Crime Prevention
- Thread starter Jim
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OP
OP
Jim
Ringleader
I have always done that just for the simple reason of not chanceing running out in the middle of nowhere, never thought about it for security.
Could be one and the same Chas. Running out in the middle of nowhere might result in serious consequences for your security.
To me it just makes sense to keep at least half a tank on board
I have also read that it's good for the van to keep at least half a tank, especially in winter. I'm not sure if that is true of not, but a bonus if it is.
So I have a good piece of advice .
First, who would quickly be able to recall card snd contact numbers to report a theft ?? - speed is of the essence - so we keep a list of the cards and contact numbers . OR keep them in smart phone wallet
Second - keep a copy of your passport . Emergency travel documents are more easily issued if you have the details
Third- keep all copies safe!!
First, who would quickly be able to recall card snd contact numbers to report a theft ?? - speed is of the essence - so we keep a list of the cards and contact numbers . OR keep them in smart phone wallet
Second - keep a copy of your passport . Emergency travel documents are more easily issued if you have the details
Third- keep all copies safe!!
I once bought a violin off a street trader, it turned out to be a fiddle!
OP
OP
Jim
Ringleader
We have a SHAPS folder. It used to be a physical folder. Now it's a two person WhatsApp group called Shaps
10 Photos That Should Be on Every Motorhome Owners Phone
Prior to the digital age, we always carried a cardboard document folder in the motorhome. This folder held photocopies of important things like passports, driving licences, insurance ect. Given that we would only need this folder if something was wrong; I identified it with wide black marker...
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Steve and Denise
LIFE MEMBER
The more fuel in your tank the less risk of condensation in the tank .Could be one and the same Chas. Running out in the middle of nowhere might result in serious consequences for your security.
To me it just makes sense to keep at least half a tank on board
I have also read that it's good for the van to keep at least half a tank, especially in winter. I'm not sure if that is true of not, but a bonus if it is.
I have made it a habit to lock all doors in cars, vans etc. The Ducato auto-locks above about 15 mph but many vehicles don't. Our modern Honda car doesn't.
I was in a queue of traffic stopped at a red light. A couple of young scrotes pulled open the passenger door of the car in front, grabbed the lady driver's handbag, and legged it. It all happened so fast. This was before I got a dashcam to record stuff like that.
I was in a queue of traffic stopped at a red light. A couple of young scrotes pulled open the passenger door of the car in front, grabbed the lady driver's handbag, and legged it. It all happened so fast. This was before I got a dashcam to record stuff like that.
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Attempts have been made on us, usually in touristy areas, Milan, South of France, etc. Backpack just full of junk, anything of value in front trouser pocket. The old puncture pointing trick was used on us and my wife pointed a camera at them, they sped off quickly. Anything of value is in a hidey hole in the van, cash, passport,etc.
Phil
Phil
JockandRita
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Absolutely. I know even if the gauge went faulty, that at 300Kms, I've still got half a tank left, and need to be sorting out a refill.To me it just makes sense to keep at least half a tank on board
We almost always top up with both diesel and Autogas on our way home, ready for the next jolly.
When touring abroad, I like to top up with diesel before pulling into our overnight stop. That way we can depart anytime, without worrying about fuel staion opening times.
Ditto, even though there is a water drain nozzle at the base of the fuel filter. Less condensation, less bother.
Re security, we always lock the doors on entry, before setting off.
At night, the alarm is set, and the door deadlocked as well as alarmed.
The sliding windows on our A Class have spring loaded net curtain bars installed, to prevent ease of opening by scrotes.
Been using them successfully on both MHs for nearly 20 x years now.
Cheers,
Jock.
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Had someone try that on some years back on the N332 between Santa Pola and La Marina.
As for handbag snatching, I never realised that 23 screwed up tissues were valuable enough to pinch.
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I got one of those, courtesy of you leading me astray and Estrella at €1 per pint.
Dave
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Most locker and hab door locks are easily forced as I have found out.
My cab door was also forced at a service area in Spain while I was asleep in the van.
No alarm but deadlocks now fitted plus flashing red led light om dash.
My cab door was also forced at a service area in Spain while I was asleep in the van.
No alarm but deadlocks now fitted plus flashing red led light om dash.
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In St Petersburg a few years ago the guide was very concerned with regards to street crime, do not give your phone to anybody to take your photo, as the person will charge you for taking the photo or not return your phone. We saw this happen to a Asian couple,the guide was brilliant.
I spent many hours watching the queues both inside and outside Madame tausauds,dippers worked both inside and out so busy tourist attractions are tempting places for thieves.
I spent many hours watching the queues both inside and outside Madame tausauds,dippers worked both inside and out so busy tourist attractions are tempting places for thieves.
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I always use a backpack handbag, on medical advice, but tend to have it on my front in crowded places. Have a waist belt, which I will remember to pack, thanks for the reminder, also the advice to put document photos in a separate folder so they are easily found if needed. Have had a backpack opened once, hate anyone standing close to me so it was only partly opened, don't think they would have been too happy with the spare knickers the pocket contained.
Do you use silverscreens or similar? We were decamping at a site after a couple of weeks stay at a favourite place. It had been a warm time but we had slept ok and not too hot at night. Discovered when we removed the screens that the drivers window had been fully open the whole time, good for night cooling but not for security
Do you use silverscreens or similar? We were decamping at a site after a couple of weeks stay at a favourite place. It had been a warm time but we had slept ok and not too hot at night. Discovered when we removed the screens that the drivers window had been fully open the whole time, good for night cooling but not for security
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Each country has it's own flavour of scam. It might be worth going onto youtube and typing scam <countryname>
This guy covers Prague extensively and is very good. He does other countries as well. He is sick of the scammers making his country look bad.
There are other youtubers who cover tourist scams as well.
BUT. Do not let it scare you off going or put you into worried mode. Use it as an educational tool and nothing more.
This guy covers Prague extensively and is very good. He does other countries as well. He is sick of the scammers making his country look bad.
There are other youtubers who cover tourist scams as well.
BUT. Do not let it scare you off going or put you into worried mode. Use it as an educational tool and nothing more.
I have always done that just for the simple reason of not chanceing running out in the middle of nowhere, never thought about it for security.
Could be one and the same Chas. Running out in the middle of nowhere might result in serious consequences for your security.
To me it just makes sense to keep at least half a tank on board
I have also read that it's good for the van to keep at least half a tank, especially in winter. I'm not sure if that is true of not, but a bonus if it is.
I do the same,especially in France/Spain. If I have used half a tank I must of been travelling for a few hours, so time to top up and have a break/,lunch.
JockandRita
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Quien yo senjor?
No me parece. Ahora eres un niño grande y puedes distinguir el bien del mal. Salud,
Jock.
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That is ok if you are used to carrying anything.I'm not. If you aren't you put it down & walk off.
as to back packs? to me they are the same as "hoodies" .ideal for leverage to throw someone under the passing bus.
I always fill at half a tank.as I told both my girls before they could even drive . If you get in to an argument or altercation on the road make sure
1)keep the fuel tank full
2) you are not stopping befor the other person
3) be suitably prepared to fight when you have to stop.
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Two on Tour
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No reason in the main to put your manbag down as the manbag I was referring to has an over-the-shoulder strap as I was indicating by saying wear it the same way as Yvette wears her handbag.
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They would have to chase you a long way to get through half a tank of fuel! You could phone the police or drive to a police station - not sure how interested they would be though.
I was told years ago it makes sense to drive around with no more than half a tank of fuel to keep weight down and improve fuel consumption. However, I must admit that I always fill up and at the best price.
Other advice from years ago was to not lock your car doors, in case you were in an accident. I'm sure current advice is to lock them for security and I think that is wise. We must have been more trusting in the old days!
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& as i said
"ideal for leverage to throw someone under the passing bus.·"
most new vehicles lock the doors when you move off. Mine don't on the van but m i lock them manually . i will have a look to see whether they can be programmed to lock when moving off.
Holly's mum
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How many people do you know who have been thrown under anything by grabbing their bag/rucksack/hoodie?
Why would someone who has a car with a 600 mile range need to reserve 300 miles and fill when half full but someone in a classic mini be okay when they can get nowhere near that on a full tank? Half a tank is probably an easy way to remember to have plenty of range spare but I think filling up any time you have less than 150 miles range left would be on the safe side for most.
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OP
OP
Jim
Ringleader
Exactly, you might be pushing a 1/4 tank before you fill up, but you’ve been concious about needing to fill, since you passed 1/2 a tank. . If your limit before fills is to wait till you see a quarter tank, and you believe in Sod’s Law, you are much more likely to be almost empty the day you really need it.
Always keep to half a tank in winter not for the scam issues but for getting stuck.
We are not in a very snowy part of Scotland but twice over the years I have spent most of a night stuck in a car due to blocked roads. Keeping warm in a car uses a surprising amount of fuel over a few hours.
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Best one in a similar veinI love entrepreneurial kids. I'd have given him 50c for effort.
Me and my brother aged under 12 stumbled across a rich seam of cash one year when doing 'Penny for the Guy'. Rather than ask for a penny, which often resulted in us getting nothing, We would stop someone and say...
Excuse me Mr, me and my brother have managed to get a penny for our guy, could you change it for two ha'penny's so we have one each. This invariably got us a "There you go, now you have a penny each".
We always had plenty of Brocks Bangers
Sunday mornings after a night of partying a few of us boys used to go and play pitch and put to blow away the cobwebs we were one side of a brook and a few kids approached on the other side and asked us if we wanted to buy a ball for x amount they showed us the ball and we threw the change over the stream they burst out laughing and threw us half a ball and run
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2 + 1 using a suit jacket
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I tend to run fuel down quite low when in familiar territory, having usually evaluated where will be my cheapest top-up. Abroad I'm a bit more circumspect and start looking between half and a quarter.
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