boatrusper Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Morning all, I have just heard from my brother who is currently travelling down through France to the Med. After pulling into a large well lit service station last night at around 1. 00am (3 hours in from Calais) he awoke this morning with a broken door lock, which had been forced with a screw driver. Luckily no entry was made, however, everyone is shaken and they have a door that needs a new lock. If anyone is considering the overnight option in a service station, please book a campsite, this was my advice which was unfortunately ignored due to previous uneventful experiences and to quote my sister in law " I read too much on caravan forums! Regards Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipbroker Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Thanks for lost Paul. ...confirms my own experiences of service stations and aires. . Geoff Quote Kia Sorento KX-1 CRDI 4WD towing an Elddis Affinity 530 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunshinetours Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Not a nice start to the holiday. Still don't get why people don't use camp sites. Can still happen there of course (and does sadly occasionally) but the chances must be much less Quote Unless you've tried it, you simply won't understand. ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ValA Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Is he absolutely certain that the lock wasn't tampered with on the ferry? I heard a disturbing story from friends, who have recently crossed from Dover to Calais, about people being seen behaving suspiciously on the car decks, and reported to P and O staff. There are also recent reports of people trying to leave England to get back into France and thence back to their own countries. One news item four days ago states that 28 people or various nationalities were found in a Polish lorry leaving England for France. A couple of years ago, leaving Calais, we saw a lorry being pulled over. The customs officers boarded, and a large number of men were escorted off the lorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommanderDave Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Same old story " it wont happen to me " . every precaution should be taken . Not worth trying to save a few quid especially near the ports . Dave Quote Jeep Commander 3. 0 V6 CRD Isuzu D- Max Utah Auto Elddis Crusader Storm 2000 Kgs, Unipart Royal Atlas Mover . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boatrusper Posted July 30, 2014 Author Share Posted July 30, 2014 The lock was fine apparently before retiring to bed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David in Cheshire Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Is he absolutely certain that the lock wasn't tampered with on the ferry? I heard a disturbing story from friends, who have recently crossed from Dover to Calais, about people being seen behaving suspiciously on the car decks, and reported to P and O staff. There are also recent reports of people trying to leave England to get back into France and thence back to their own countries. One news item four days ago states that 28 people or various nationalities were found in a Polish lorry leaving England for France. A couple of years ago, leaving Calais, we saw a lorry being pulled over. The customs officers boarded, and a large number of men were escorted off the lorry. It is worth considering i. e security on the ferry. I have heard stories of break ins on board too and always make a quick check before disembarkation . Quote David Various vans 78-2019, currently Hobby Excellent 540 FU and Mercedes E220 CDI Estate www. caravan-europe. co. uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boatrusper Posted July 30, 2014 Author Share Posted July 30, 2014 Just spoken to my brother, they called the police who confirmed that a motor home had also been targeted. Her passing comments were that she would'nt recommend any service areas or Aires for overnight stopping irrespective to how busy or illuminated they were and that it was a regular occurance. Also surprised that they had'nt managed to enter the caravan! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W77 Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 (edited) This is why I spend the night in the car park at the ferry terminal at Calais, regular police patrols through out the night, so no problems with security. I would not stop anywhere other than an official campsite. Edited July 30, 2014 by Steve W77 Quote 2015 SorentoKX2 pulling a 2011 Sterling Eccles Moonstone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beejay Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Just spoken to my brother, they called the police who confirmed that a motor home had also been targeted. Her passing comments were that she would'nt recommend any service areas or Aires for overnight stopping irrespective to how busy or illuminated they were and that it was a regular occurance. Also surprised that they had'nt managed to enter the caravan! When this happens and there are security cameras ask the manager to view the appropriate time and camera(s)............? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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