Firm’s reassurance after caravan theft
Owner‘raging’but company defends its security
A Perth Airport-based business has said it is treating a recent break-in “very seriously” after a man whose caravan was taken during the incident accused staff of failing to protect his property.
AM Self Storage defended the standards of its security after Perth man David Findlay claimed the company had recently removed guards and seemed unaware of an access route he believes the crooks used to enter the site then tow away his Hobby.
The 58-year-old also criticised staff for taking a week to notify him the bay he kept his caravan in was empty, although the company claims it did try to alert Mr Findlay over the period.
Mr Findlay told the PA it was only after he received a letter saying there had been an “incident” and he confirmed his caravan was missing during a site visit the same day that staff reported the incident to the police.
“They just came straight in, hooked up my caravan and drove straight out again,” he said. “It was taken on March 23, they (AM Self Storage) wrote a letter on March 29 and I got it on March 30, so by that time these guys already had a seven day head start with my caravan.
“I am raging about this. What am I paying for security for? As far as I’m concerned, they have failed miserably.”
A spokesperson for AM Self Storage said the March raid was the first time in 20 years that criminals had targeted the business.
The spokesperson continued: “It is regrettable that one of our clients has been the victim of an isolated incident but, with police inquiries ongoing, we’d like to think the stolen caravan will be traced and returned to its owner.
“In the meantime, we are happy to furnish any information Mr Findlay requires with regard to pursuing an insurance claim.”
The spokesperson added Mr Findlay originally agreed to keep a Tabbert caravan at Perth Airport then latterly swapped this for a Hobby - a model they say they have not accepted on site “for several years” - without telling staff.
The spokesperson went on: “We can confirm the security-fenced compound was breached overnight on March 23/24, when it became apparent the gate entry locks had been cut.
“We immediately checked vehicles for any signs of damage and noted that seven bays were empty.
“Given that it is not unusual for owners to check in at reception and take away their caravans for the season ahead, we contacted them individually to clarify if any were missing.
“Six owners quickly confirmed nothing was amiss but, after being unable to make contact with Mr Findlay on the landline number provided over the course of several days, we sent a first-class letter to his home address.
“When we received confirmation it was indeed missing, we immediately alerted the police.”
The spokesperson went on: “AM Self Storage provide caravan owners with secure 24-hour storage, a professional service and peace of mind, meeting the stringent Caravan Storage Site Owners Association silver standard.
“In the light of this unfortunate forced
Findlay had his caravan stolen from a secure site entry incident, we have informed our many loyal clients of the steps being taken to further enhance already extensive security measures at the compound, including additional CCTV cameras and monitoring.
“We take this breach of security very seriously. We are confident the measures we have in place will prevent a repeat of what appears to be a one-off, targeted theft of a particular make and model of caravan.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson commented: “We were called to reports of a theft from a storage unit near Perth Airport around 3.20pm on Tuesday, March 30.
“The incident was investigated and the complainer was updated by police.”
They just came straight in, hooked up my caravan and drove straight back out again